Sloppy joes and buttered noodles: the pinnacle of school cafeteria lunches that got us all excited. Some kind-hearted cafeteria worker must have realized this and put them together into one delicious dish! Lunch Lady Beef Casserole layers on juicy ground beef in a smoky-sweet and rich sauce that tastes like sloppy joes and tender egg noodles. In the center is a creamy, tangy cheese mix filled with crunchy, savory green onion and sharp parmesan. The result is a melty, hearty meal that can get you through the school day, the workday or just a wonderful evening with family and friends! Lunch Lady Beef Casserole is a dinnertime nostalgia trip that will leave you full and happy. What could be better?
Ingredients
- 4 cups medium egg noodles
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3/4 cup onion, chopped
- 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup 4% cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for optional topping
- 1/3 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 3 –Cook the egg noodles according to package directions.
Step 4 –In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the beef and the onion, crumbling the beef as it cooks, until the beef is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 5 –Drain the grease from the skillet.
Step 6 –Add the tomato sauce, the garlic powder, the salt, and the pepper.
Step 7 –In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, the cottage cheese, the parmesan, the green onions, and the green pepper.
Step 8 –Drain the noodles.
Step 9 –Place 1/2 of the noodles in the prepared baking dish.
Step 10 –Top with 1/2 of the meat mixture and 1/2 of the cheese mixture.
Step 11 –Repeat the layers.
Step 12 –Sprinkle the top with the extra parmesan cheese.
Step 13 –Cover and bake until heated through, about 30-35 minutes.
Step 14 –Serve hot.
