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 1/2 cups cream-style cottage cheese
1 small green bell peppers, seeded and chopped
1 lb ground beef
1 onions, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
seasoning salt and black pepper
1/4 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:
Set oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 13 x 9-inch or 11 x 7-inch baking dish.
In a frypan, brown beef with onions and garlic; drain fat then season with salt and pepper, the add/mix in Parmesan cheese.
Add in the tomato sauce with the sugar, parsley and oregano; cover and simmer for about 25-30 minutes.
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).
Transfer 1/3 of the mixture into a greased casserole.
Sprinkle ALL of the green peppers over the mixture.
Top with about 1/3 of the meat mixture.
Continue to alternate layers, ending with the meat mixture.
Bake covered or uncovered for 20 minutes; remove from the oven, sprinkle with grated cheese, return to oven, uncovered, bake for 15 minutes more.
Servings: 6
Time preparation: 25 min.
Time total: 60 min.