If you're freezing the second casserole prepare and assemble both casseroles. Bake one and then cover the second unbaked casserole with plastic wrap (I double it), then cover with aluminum foil, label, date and place the casserole in the freezer for dinner on another day.
Try and 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, someone with an illness or just someone that needs to be reminded that they're a special part of your life.
This casserole not only cheers up the gift recipient but also the person gifting it. I like to take my children along with me when we pass on a friendship casserole. I want them to experience that giving is just as wonderful as receiving.
Friendship Casserole
Ingredients
- 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 or use homemade
- 1 16 oz pkg medium egg noodles (I prefer no yolk dumplings)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 16 oz pkg shredded mozzarella or shredded Italian cheese blend
- 2 13 x 9 inch disposable aluminum pans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, add the ground beef and brown, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain off any fat.
- Add the green pepper, onion and mushrooms and saute with the meat for an additional 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 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
- Spray two 13 x 9 inch pans with non-stick spray.
- In each baking pan add half of the meat sauce, divide the pasta equally between the two baking pans.
- Add the remainder of the meat sauce in each pan (over the pasta). Top each of the baking pans with shredded mozzarella or Italian cheese blend.
- Cover with foil that has been sprayed with non stick spray and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes.
Notes:
For Gifting: If gifting the second casserole present it unbaked. This way if the person you are giving the casserole doesn't want to eat it right away, they can freeze it. Wrap the casserole in double plastic wrap and a add layer of foil. Add a bow or ribbon around the whole baking dish and slide a wooden spoon under the bow along with a recipe card with baking instructions
Freezing Instructions:
If you're freezing the second casserole prepare and assemble both casseroles. Bake one and then wrap the second one unbaked with plastic wrap (I use double plastic wrap), then cover with aluminum foil, label, date and place the casserole in the freezer for another day. When ready to use remove from freezer, thaw completely and bake.
63 comments
It's the BEST way to share!
Love and hugs!
I love how you prep it for delivery. So sweet!
It looks yummy and I can't wait to try it and to share it with a friend.
Would you recommend glass casserole dishes over metal ones?
Thanks for the recipe!
~Garret
http://craftalicous.blogspot.com/
For the Love of Food
www.nicolelucianaepperson.blogspot.com
So many things to choose from on your site, but love the name of this casserole, so prayerfully it will bless our class members!
Blessings always,
Kaye
What spaghetti sauce do you use for this recipe?
http://www.cookingideasandreciipes.blogspot.com/2015/08/friendship-casserole.html
In each pan add a layer of sauce, then noodles and the remainder of the sauce on top, so yes one layer of noodles. The shredded cheese is last on top of both casseroles. I hope this helps.
I think penne pasta would work perfect.