Italian Cheese-It Casserole

Recipe Ingredients

• --------- FIRST LAYER ---------
• 1.00 lb Lean ground beef
• 1.00 ts Salt
• 0.25 ts Pepper
• 1.00 cl Garlic, minced
• --------- SECOND LAYER ---------
• 4.00 c Water
• 1.00 ts Salt
• 3.00 lb Zucchini or summer squash,
• chopped
• 1.00 cn 4 oz chopped green chiles
• 1.00 md Onion, finely chopped
• 2.00 tb Butter
• 1.00 c Shredded cheddar cheese
• --------- THIRD LAYER ---------
• 2.00 Eggs
• 2.00 c Cottage cheese
• 2.00 ts Chopped parsley
• 2.00 tb Grated Parmesan cheese

Recipe Directions

• 1.


• For the First layer: Put ground beef, salt, pepper and garlic in a skillet over moderate heat.


• Stir mixture with a wooden spoon, break- ing up into large chunks of meat as it cooks.


• Cook until well done.


• Drain fat, and spoon mixture into a 2 quart casserole dish.


• 2.


• For the Second Layer: Put water and 1 tsp.


• salt in a 3 quart sauce- pan.


• Bring to a boil over high heat, and add squash.


• Cook for 5-8 minutes or until very tender.


• Pour into a colander, drain well.


• 3.


• Transfer squash back to the saucepan and mash with potato masher or electric mixer until squash is well broken up.


• Add green chiles, onion and butter.


• Mash until thoroughly combined.


• Spread over beef mixture.


• Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.


• Preheat oven to 350F.


• 4.


• For the Third Layer: Put eggs into a medium sized bowl; beat with a wire whisk or portable mixer until light.


• Fold in cottage cheese and parsley.


• Spoon over squash layer in the casserole.


• 5.


• Sprinkle casserole with Parmesan cheese (you might even add a little more cheddar if desired), and place on the center rack of the oven.


• Bake for 35-40 minutes or until casserole is thoroughly heated and top layer is set.


• Serve immediately.

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