Loaded Cheesy Meaty Casserole

Recipe: Homemade Marinara Sauce

2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 can of tomato sauce
2 teaspoons of minced garlic
1/4 cup of onion, diced small
2 tablespoons of olive oil, for sautéing + 2 tablespoons for sauce
1 tablespoon of fresh basil
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
1/2 -1 teaspoon of kosher salt ( start with less and add more as needed)


In a small saute pan add 2 T. of oil and saute onion and garlic together until onion is clear.

In a medium size pot, on medium heat, add the remaining ingredients. Add the sauteed onion and garlic.

Let simmer, with small bubbles popping on surface of sauce, for 15 minutes. The sauce will get thicker the longer you simmer it. I usually shoot for an hour if I have the time.

Taste your sauce to see if more salt is needed. This is an important step because the right amount of salt makes this really shine.

I also don't have gluten free lasagna noodles so I used a whole box of wide rice noodles and it worked great.

This dish makes great left overs and a perfect casserole to share with neighbors that may be in need of an easy dinner.

ENJOY!

Recipe: Cheesy Meat Casserole

1 pound of hamburger, browned
3 cups of homemade spaghetti style sauce RECIPE HERE
1 box of rice noodles or 6-8 wide lasagna noodles, cooked according to package
1 small can of sliced black olives, drained
1.5 cups of gruyere, grated
1 small wedge of triple cream cheese (similar to Brie), sliced with mold removed
1.5 cups of fontina cheese

NOTE: If using Velveeta, use enough cheese, sliced in thin slices, to cover two layers.

Have your meat browned, cheese grated or sliced and noodles cooked.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a bowl add sauce to meat and stir. You don't want you sauce to be too runny.

In a rectangular baking dish (9X13) start layering ingredients.

I did meat on the bottom, olives sprinkled, cheese, noodles and repeat. I topped my dish with a final sprinkle of cheese. I also mixed the cheese's up on each layer (this is your choice).

Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

Let rest for 10 minutes once removed from oven.