Stormy-Day Casserole

prep time:: 20 min 1 hour 20 minutes

Makes 4 servings

Delicious and easy to make. Can be assembled ahead of time and then just popped in the oven later! Even more delicious the next day

ingredients

8 ounces elbow macaroni
1 pound sausage meat (any kind, Italian, Chicken, Hot or Mild. But if using links, remove from casings and break up with spoon - similar to chop meat.)
1 15-ounce can of Diced Tomatoes
2 large onions, sliced
1 green pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips (or any color pepper on hand)
2 tablespoons olive oil (or other vegetable oil for sautéing)

directions

1
Cook macaroni according to directions on the package, until almost tender, and drain well. DO NOT OVERCOOK.
2
In two tablespoons of oil, sauté the onions and pepper until translucent, then add the sausage meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the meat is just beginning to brown.
3
Grease an oven-to-table casserole dish and place a layer of macaroni on the bottom; follow with a layer of the onion/pepper/sausage meat mixture, and repeat making certain the top layer is the remaining macaroni.
4
Pour the tomatoes over the top, mashing them and reserving some of the juice. Cover with foil, and bake at 350 degrees F. for one hour. Check occasionally.
5
If it looks a little dry, add some of the reserved tomato juice. (No salt or pepper is needed if the sausage meat is sufficiently seasoned.) Serve with either a crisp green salad, fresh broccoli or other green vegetable.
6
A small amount of Parmesan cheese is also delicious on top of each portion.
7
Option: If you like a little cheese you can add a little bit of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each layer of sausage mixture. Not too much as this is not intended to be a cheesy meal.

notes

Congratulations on your wedding! What is your husband’s name? I can’t wait to see you next year after you are married! I wonder what your last name is going to be. Love, Luke

Source: Luke Finnegan