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HEAVENLY RICH SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE

Recipe Introduction


THIS DISH HAS WAY TOO MUCH CHEESE FOR THE OVERLY HEALTH CONSCIOUS, BUT, HOPEFULLY, THE VEGGIES MAKE UP FOR IT!!! THIS TRULY LIVES UP TO THE NAME "HEAVENLY", IT IS SCRUMPTIOUS!!!





List of Ingredients



• 2 1/2 POUNDS LEAN GROUND BEEF
  
• 2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
  
• 4 CLOVES GARLIC CHOPPED
  
• 1 LARGE YELLOW ONION CHOPPED
  
• 1 LARGE RED BELL PEPPER CHOPPED
  
• 3 STALKS CELERY CHOPPED
  
• 3 LARGE CARROTS SHREDDED (UNCOOKED)
  
• 2 PACKS FROZEN SPINACH THAWED (UNCOOKED)
  
• 2 TABLESPOONS SALT
  
• 3 TEASPOONS OREGANO
  
• 2 TABLESPOONS BASIL
  
• 4 BAY LEAVES
  
• 1 TABLESPOON GARLIC POWDER (DON'T USE GARLIC SALT)
  
• 2 16OZ CANS ITALIAN STYLE TOMATOES UNDRAINED
  
• 1 6OZ CAN TOMATO PASTE
  
• 1 8OZ COTTAGE CHEESE
  
• 1 4OZ PHILADELPHIA CREAM CHEESE
  
• 4 OZ SOUR CREAM
  
• 1 CUP GRATED SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE
  
• 1 SMALL ELBOW MACARONI
  
• 1 SMALL VERMICELLI
  






Instructions



1. BROWN GROUND BEEF "ALONE" DRAIN.
   
   
2. IN THE OLIVE OIL, SAUTE' THE ONION, BELL PEPPER, CELERY, GARLIC, AND ALL SPICES (EXCEPT BAY LEAVES) UNTIL TENDER.
   
   
3. COMBINE BEEF, SAUTE'ED VEGGIES, TOMATO SAUCE, PASTE, CARROT, SPINACH, AND BAY LEAVES, COVER AND SIMMER FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR.
   
   
4. WHILE SAUCE IS COOKING, MIX ALL THE CHEESES TOGETHER (EXCEPT SHARP CHEDDAR) AND COOK PASTA UNTIL ALMOST DONE.(DON'T OVERCOOK)
   
   
5. MIX ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER IN LARGE BOWL. SPOON INTO LARGE CASSEROLE DISH AND BAKE UNCOVERED AT 350 FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR JUST BUBBLY. COVER WITH SHARP CHEDDAR UNTIL CHEESE IS MELTED.
   
   






Final Comments


THIS IS A LITTLE TIME CONSUMING, BUT WELL WORTH IT!!! THIS FREEZES VERY WELL.