No More Turkey

So I guess the question on my mind today is "Are you tired of turkey yet?" Have you had your fill until next Thanksgiving? Or are you simply taking a break for 3 weeks before another roasted bird is the star of your Christmas table? Well, if you are in the first group, I have a real treat for you today. It's Italian, it's pasta, it's a casserole...those are far from a turkey sandwich! And to be honest, after a long holiday weekend, not only does nobody want to go back to work, but who wants to come home and cook something complicated? It's also very versatile because you can make it like I did, or you can split it to make an extra one. (See note below) Sometimes when parents ask me for tips to get their kids to eat certain things I just have to respond with "hide it". I even heard a chef say the other day that her nieces and nephews don't eat veggies...at all. So when auntie makes mashed potatoes...guess what! Yep, there is mashed cauliflower in them too! Ha! That's sneaky. Now luckily as you know, Monkey is not a picky eater at all. But for some reason he got it into his head forever ago he doesn't like sour cream. Which is fine, he doesn't have to eat it, but if it's in a recipe he's going to because I'm not a short order cook and won't make something different. So I've learned if it's "hidden", even in plain sight, he's fine with it. Basically as long as it's in a dish that doesn't taste like sour cream, I'm good. See, little does he know, but there are a ton of things he has eaten without even noticing because I hide it well. (Let's face it, if it has cheese, most kids are going to eat it without any questions.) This casserole will feed an army, which is good because if any of your neighbors catch a whiff of it, they will be right over! My son declared it "super yummy" and I hope your family thinks so too!

Spaghetti Casserole Adapted from Taste of Home
1 lb. spaghetti, cooked according to package directions
1 lb. ground beef
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (26 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
2 tsp Italian Seasoning
2 c. Monterey Jack cheese, finely shredded
1 c. sour cream
1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1 tsp dried parsley
Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375. While pasta is cooking, brown beef, seasoned with salt and pepper in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain if necessary. Add tomato sauce and spaghetti sauce. Stir well. Adjust salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside. In a small bowl combine sour cream, soup and Italian seasoning. Stir well. When pasta is cooked, drain well. Grease a 9x13 pan. Add half the meat sauce. Top with half the pasta. Spread with half the sour cream mixture. Sprinkle with 1 c. cheese. Repeat layers ending with cheese. Cover  with aluminum foil and bake for 45-55 minutes until cheese is melted. Remove foil, and sprinkle with parsley. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
*NOTE* You can also split this between two 8x8 pans, and freeze one for later. When ready to bake, allow to thaw for about an hour and then bake as directed.

Shared on Make Ahead Meals Nov. 26, 2012
Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box Nov. 27, 2012
Shared on Lady Behind The Curtain Nov. 28, 2012
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Nov. 29, 2012
Shared on The Country Cook Nov. 30, 2012

Pasta at Very Good Recipes
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