Beef and Cheesy Bake

Today's casserole was easy even though the recipe seems quite lengthy. A nice blend of tastes with an Italian type flair. 

Sour cream, cheddar cheese and Romano make a great flavor and pleasing family casserole.

The only direct changes to this recipe are in the baking and cooking times.

I baked mine at 400 on the middle rack for 15 minutes and I believe it was a little too dry. Also don't overcook the beef tomato mixture. The tomato paste thickens the mixture quickly and I think it was a bit too thick.  Adjust recipe to your liking.**Note: 350 degrees for 15 minutes instead 400 degrees for same amount of minutes.

I would recommend this dish with the adjustments. It was tasty and casseroles are convenient to make and this recipe did not take long to prepare and serve.

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive

oil, plus more for the baking

dish

•  salt

• 3 cups dry wide egg noodles(dry) cook a'dente and drain

• 1 1/2 cups sour cream

• 1/2 cup freshly grated

Pecorino Romano cheese

• 1 lb. ground beef

• 1 small red and yellow bell pepper, seeded and

chopped

• 4or 5 green scallions finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• One 14 1/2-ounce can petite

diced tomatoes

• 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 400

degrees  Place about 4 T olive oil in a  13x 9 inch baking dish.

Bring a large pot of salted water

to a boil. Add the noodles and

cook to al dente according to

the package directions.
 Drain noodles and toss with sour cream,about 1/4 tsp. salt and  romano cheese. Place noodle mixture in prepared baking dish.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in

a large skillet over medium-high

heat. Add the ground beef and

cook, stirring, until no longer

pink, about 4 minutes. Add the

bell peppers and scallions and

cook until crisp-tender, about 3

minutes. Add tomato paste, sprinkle with Italian seasoning and about 1/4 tsp. salt. Add the diced

tomatoes, stir and bring to a

simmer. Cook until slightly

thickened, about 2 minutes.

Pour the beef mixture over the

noodles and sprinkle with the

grated Cheddar. Bake on the

middle rack until the cheese is

melted.  Do not overbake.

for about 15 to 20 minutes.

 Let stand for 10 minutes before

serving. Enjoy!