We've made this twice now, once with beef and once with ground turkey..both we're really good...very yummy!!! Beef and Vegetable Cheese Casserole main meals POINTS® Value: 7 Servings: 6 Preparation Time: 25 min Cooking Time: 45 min Level of Difficulty: Moderate This warming casserole can be made ahead, tightly wrapped and frozen until needed. Perfect for hectic holiday times! Ingredients 1 sprays cooking spray 2 medium tomato(es), sliced 2 medium zucchini, sliced 12 oz raw lean ground beef 1 large onion(s), finely chopped 2 medium garlic clove(s), minced 1 cup canned tomato sauce 2 cup fat-free cottage cheese 1 large egg yolk(s) 1/2 cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese 1 Tbsp parsley, oregano or rosemary, chopped 1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste Instructions Preheat oven to 500ºF. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread tomatoes and zucchini over sheet. Roast vegetables for 10 to 12 minutes. Meanhwile, in a large, nonstick skillet, sauté beef, onion and garlic until beef is browned. Stir in tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Spread beef mixture in a large, shallow baking dish (3 quart or 9 X 13-inches) and top with roasted vegetables. Reduce oven temperature to 350ºF. Whisk together cottage cheese, egg yolk, cheddar cheese, herbs, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Spoon over roasted vegetables and smooth with a rubber spatula. Bake until very hot and bubbling around edges, about 35 minutes. Cut into six equal pieces and serve immediately. (Note: If preparing casserole in advance and freezing it, make sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator before baking it. Increase the baking time by 5 to 10 minutes.) Notes To give this dish an Italian accent, substitute fat-free ricotta cheese for cottage cheese and use 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese in place of the cheddar. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil just before serving. This recipe is part of our Cook Once, Eat All Week series. To learn more about this month's theme: make ahead pasta bakes and casseroles, click here.
