Ground beef casserol?????

Ahh, dishes from the past. We all have them.

My mother made something similar, it was made with wide noodles, cooked italian sausage, some green peppers, red sauce and mixed all together, put in a casserol dish and topped with mozzerella cheese and some oregano. So I went looking and found these. I have not tried any but you might find one to suit your needs.

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/lasagna-casserole-curly-pasta-with-meat-and-ricotta/

http://ruralroute2.com/easy_lasagna_casserole.php

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/pork/quick-lasagna-casserole/

Good luck.

I've made something that sounds similar but I always used either large macaroni noodles or penne. I'd just saute the ground beef or Italian sausage with some diced onion and then add either crushed tomotoes and tomato paste or one of the premade jars of pasta sauce. I like Classico the best. I'd mix the cooked pasta with the sauce and pour it all in a casserole dish and cover with parmesan and mozarella cheese and bake for 30-40 min's. You could play with the dish using different spices, add red wine, garlic, etc. I don't think I've ever made it and been disappointed but I'm pretty easy to please :)

I Love Casseroles for entertaining. A  few of my friends of mine think them too easy or middle class. I have to laugh I go to their open houses and inevitably  they have so many leftovers they complain to the heavens. Yet mine rarely have anything left over so the only complaints I hear are why didn't I make more??

I have a ground beef, a tuna and a left over ham casserole recipie that just knocks the socks off my guests. I have used them at open houses, scout meetings, school functions and dog shows. I like things I can pre prep then just bake and serve ! A Really good Rustico Mac and Cheese blows folks away. and serves with a great salad , like my Best In Show salad , fresh fruits, and a few finger foods and folks are bith filled up and impressed.

Sometimes we forget the point of feeding an open house. We want folks stoppingf in to have a snack or an actual meal depending on their schedule.  If you are in the cold I also like a simple soup like my Spicey Turkey or a chowder. Folks feeling encouraged to eat as much or little as they want find this type of entertaining not simply enjoyable but unforgettable.

If you need additional ideas let me know we can swap some really good ones!

Hope your Holiday was awesome!!

Bonita of Bwana ( never less than a dozen folks on any Holiday)

Bonita of Bwana

I have a ground beef, a tuna and a left over ham casserole recipie that just knocks the socks off my guests. I have used them at open houses, scout meetings, school functions and dog shows. I like things I can pre prep then just bake and serve !

Is that 3 different cassseroles that you use of one that uses g. beef, tuna and left over ham????? 

I would love to see it.

OOPs sorry Dyan, sorry I was unclear, IT is indeed 3 different casseroles.   The ground beef is a Tater Tot casserole and total hit with the kids and hubby, but then they actually all are. I don't do casseroles unless they are huge hits.  The Ham is combined with Potatoes Au Gratin ( home made or boxed)  add a few extras and it is dressy enough to make any buffet table look great. The Tuna Casserole is one my hsband brought with him nearly 30 years ago. You use C of Mushroom soup , crushed potato chips, and some durkee onions.  Served with MY version of tatar sauce ( some of my friends swear it is egg salad ) it is another huge hit that is easy to make and rarely has any left overs.  When you have a family as big as mine every thing is made in doubles and you might wonder if it was good or they were hungry, so I have made these casseroles all over the country at dog shows and they are devoured just like they are at home.  So that leaves me to think they must be pretty good. :0)

Let me know if anyone needs specifics I am not on line with dog.com every day but I do check in as often as possible

Happy , Happy New Year to every one and a safe and blessed New Year!!

Bonita - I'd love the details on the ham casserole. I'm getting ready to cook a ham and I know there's going to be a ton of leftovers. I need something creative to mix it up a little.

Thanks in advance :)

Use your favorite Potato Au Gratin Recipe Or go the easy route, Betty Crocker ( I think) has a boxed version of Loaded Potato Au Gratin. It is a HUGE favorite and in a RV saves trying to keep all of the staple on hand for made from basics.   Any way prepare as explained and just before you pop it in the oven or slow cooker add your left over ham diced or sliced into 1 inch strips.  Add 1/4 cup sliced black olives, 1-2 tbsps of diced roasted red peppers or diced juliened sun dried tomatos not simply for color but flavor. The red pepper is a sweeter addition and the sun dried Tomato a savory one BUT pick one or the other not both!  For my family of 12, I cook 4 boxes or the equivilent  keep in mind I go for the easy method when RVing and the basics when at home. If cooking from basic I add the bread crumbs to the top of the casserole as I pull it from the oven or cooker, don't do it before as they become soggy.  When cooking from the basics I prefer panko crumbs.   Using left over ham it is less than 15.00 to make enough casserole to feed 15 -20 people  or a large family with leftovers for at least one meal.  The yellows, reds , black and the cheesy ham is a lovely presentation. You can add mushrooms, and chopped green onions if your family is not under the age of 10 and having a tendancy to ask repeatedly "Do I HAVE to eat" and then fill in one item per kid......  sigh the adult have never picked anything out except the mushrooms and I do get it that not every one is into fungi.... the ones who are however think it makes the dish!

Best of luck !

Thank you Bonita! That sounds amazing. I'll try it in the next week or so. I don't have kids and DH is an easy to please kind of guy, so I'm sure it's going to be a hit.Thanks again!