Faux Lasagna Noodle Casserole

We love lasagna but sometimes it feels like a lot of effort to make right. This noodle casserole has all the yummy parts of lasagna (pasta, cheese, sauce) while being a little simpler to put together.

You will need:

• 12 oz short shaped noodles (works best with farfalle, gemelli, or egg noodles)
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1.5 lb ground beef
• 14 oz crushed tomatoes
• 2 T garlic powder
• 2 T onion powder
• 1 T dried minced onion
• 1 T oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 c sour cream
• 16 oz cottage cheese
• 1 c grated Parmesan
• 1 small bunch scallions, chopped
• 3 c shredded cheese (suggest an Italian blend)

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Light grease a 9×9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large pot of salted water, cook your noodles to al dente according to packaging. Drain and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, cook the onion and beef in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until the beef is crumbled and browned (about 7-10 minutes). Drain off any excess fat from the skillet.
4. Stir the crushed tomatoes into the beef-onion mixture along with 1 tablespoon of the garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of the onion powder, and 1 tablespoon of the oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste and allow to simmer 5-10 minutes.
5. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the sour cream with the cottage cheese, Parmesan, 1 tablespoon of the garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of the onion powder, and scallions. Season with pepper to taste.
6. Mix the noodles into the sour cream mixture.
7. Spread half of the noodles in the prepared pan.
8. Spread half of the beef on top of the noodles.
9. Spread half of the shredded cheese on top of the noodles.
10. Repeat with another layer of noodles then beef and finally cheese.
11. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
12. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.
13. Allow to cool five minutes before serving.