Pizza-Rice Casserole

Name: Pizza-Rice Casserole
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked brown rice (I like brown, it holds up better in this casserole) or 2 cups white rice (I like brown, it holds up better in this casserole); 1 12 cups cream-style cottage cheese; 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped; 1 lb ground beef; 1 onion, chopped; 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic; seasoning salt and black pepper; 14 cup grated parmesan cheese; 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce (Hunt's is best); 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 -2 teaspoon dried oregano; 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or any cheese blend)

13 ingredients

10 steps

Ingredients

2 cups cooked brown rice (I like brown, it holds up better in this casserole) or 2 cups white rice (I like brown, it holds up better in this casserole)
1 12 cups cream-style cottage cheese
1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
seasoning salt and black pepper
14 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce (Hunt's is best)
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 -2 teaspoon dried oregano
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or any cheese blend)

Directions

1

Set oven to 350 degrees.
2

Grease a 13 x 9-inch or 11 x 7-inch baking dish.
3

In a frypan, brown beef with onions and garlic; drain fat then season with salt and pepper, the add/mix in Parmesan cheese.
4

Add in the tomato sauce with the sugar, parsley and oregano; cover and simmer for about 25-30 minutes.
5

Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the cooked rice and cottage cheese, then season with salt and pepper (you can add in about 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese to the mixture if desired).
6

Transfer 1/3 of the mixture into a greased casserole.
7

Sprinkle ALL of the green peppers over the mixture.
8

Top with about 1/3 of the meat mixture.
9

Continue to alternate layers, ending with the meat mixture.
10

Bake covered or uncovered for 20 minutes; remove from the oven, sprinkle with grated cheese, return to oven, uncovered, bake for 15 minutes more.