Friendship CasseroleFriendship Casserole

Friendship Casserole 2 lbs ground beef or ground turkey 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped 1/2 cup onion, chopped 3/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms 1 48 oz jar good quality spaghetti sauce 1 , 16 oz pkg medium egg noodles 1/2 cup butter 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1, 16 oz pkg shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian Cheese Blend Preheat oven to 350º Brown meat and drain off any fat. Add the green pepper, onion and mushrooms and saute with the meat for 5 minutes. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer for 20 minutes. While the sauce is cooking start cooking the pasta. Cook the pasta according to package directions for (al dente). Drain and toss with butter, garlic, powder, onion powder and Parmesan cheese. Spray two 13 x 9 inch pans with non-stick spray. In each pan layer half the sauce, half of the noodles (8 oz in in each pan), remaining sauce in each pan, and top with mozzarella cheese for each casserole (8 oz per casserole). Cover with foil that has been sprayed with non stick spray and bake 45 minutes. Note: Green peppers, onions and mushrooms are optional. Make sure the person you are gifting this wonderful casserole to likes those types of veggies. If not just omit them fro the recipe. This recipe yields 2 casseroles , so plan one for your family and one for a friend. Think of someone who might need a reminder that they have friends who care about them - a new mom in your neighborhood, a family who’s moving, or someone with an illness.