Taste of Family

My Bochie was one of ten children growing up on a farm in Pennsylvania. She also had ten kids herself and practically raised them on her own while my Papa was over seas through several stints with the Air Force. She had knowledge of good farm cooking and preserving on a budget from her upbringing and needed to apply that through the rest of her life with her big family. So she was always canning and baking and cooking delicious but fairly quick and simple meals. 

Every time we went down to visit she would always ask, “What do you want me to fix?” It was not only special because you could pick one of your must have faves of Boch but she was doing something special just for you. For me, that meal was Beef Carrot Casserole every time!

Pantry Ingredients

This meal is an all around quicky and also a pantry friendly meal. So I usually have all of the items on hand to whip up this casserole when ever I’m feeling nastalgic.

It consists of:

• Egg Noodles (which Bochie usually bought)
• Onion
• Ground Beef
• Tomato Sauce
• Cottage Cheese
• Home canned Carrots
• Shredded Cheese of choice

If you don’t have egg noodles, feel free to use any other you have on hand. I used some Gluten Free Macaroni noodles in the recipe picture. You can also season with herbs of your liking. Garlic, oregano, or even just a general Italian herb mix lends well to this dish if you enjoy those flavors.

It’s warm and savory and works in just about every season. I never tire of it. So let’s get started on this very simple meal that can be prepared on a weeknight or even for a special occasion with family. Because it is a winner all around!

Beef Carrot Casserole

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A quick and easy meal using pantry staples that can be made after work on a weeknight or even for a weekend dinner. It's cheesy and warming and kid friendly!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 bag Egg Noodles
• small Onion, chopped
• 1 lb Ground Beef
• 1 can (or home canned pint) Carrots
• 1 can Tomato Sauce
• 1-2 c Cottage Cheese (your choice on how cheesy)
• 1 small bag Shredded Chedder or Mozzerella

Instructions

1. Set oven to 375 F.
2. Get a pot of water to a rolling boil and put Egg Noodles in to cook.
3. Meanwhile, sauté the chopped onion in a pan until slightly translucent. Throw in the Ground Beef and brown, stirring and chopping with utensil so that it is fine.
4. Add Tomato Sauce and stir until through out.
5. Add Cottage Cheese and stir until through out.
6. Add Canned Carrots and gently fold in trying not to break them up too much.
7. Top with Shredded Cheese and place in oven for 15 minutes.

Notes

You are welcome to add some herbs and seasoning to your liking. Garlic, oregano or a general Italian herb mix is great stirred in to this mixture before baking. Salt and Pepper to taste.