Lady brought this famous “8-Layer Casserole” to our party. This dish stole the show!
Welcome to the world of culinary delight where we’ll explore the tantalizing layers of flavor in the Eight-Layer Casserole. This beloved dish is not just a meal; it’s a symphony of tastes and textures that will leave your taste buds singing. In this article, we’ll delve into the ingredients, directions, and some helpful tips to ensure your casserole turns out perfectly every time.
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Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ground beef | 1 pound |
| Medium onion | 1 |
| Garlic cloves | 2 |
| Tomato sauce | 15 ounces (1 can) |
| Diced tomatoes | 14.5 ounces (1 can) |
| Tomato paste | 6 ounces (1 can) |
| Water | 1 cup |
| Dried basil | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Ground black pepper | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Rotini pasta | 3 cups (uncooked) |
| Cottage cheese | 1 cup |
| Egg | 1 (lightly beaten) |
| Mozzarella cheese | 4 cups |
| Frozen chopped spinach | 10 ounces (1 package) |
| Bacon | 8 slices (cooked and crumbled) |
| Parmesan cheese | 1/2 cup |
Instructions:
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound of ground beef with 1 chopped medium onion and 2 minced garlic cloves until the beef is browned. Drain any excess grease.
- Make Sauce: Stir in 15 ounces of tomato sauce, 14.5 ounces of diced tomatoes, 6 ounces of tomato paste, 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon of dried basil, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce is simmering, cook 3 cups of rotini pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Cottage Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup of cottage cheese and 1 lightly beaten egg.
- Layer Ingredients: In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, layer half of the cooked rotini pasta, half of the cottage cheese mixture, half of the meat sauce, and 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers once more.
- Add Spinach and Bacon: Top the casserole with 10 ounces of well-drained frozen chopped spinach and 8 slices of cooked and crumbled bacon.
- Sprinkle Parmesan Cheese: Finish by sprinkling 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious Eight-Layer Casserole!
