For any occasion

By Ashleigh Noyes
Tribune columnist

With all the babies being born around this area, I have used several of my go-to, easy-to-prepare recipes to take meals to friends caring for their newborn infants. This, however, is one that got lost in the shuffle! You can use it as a meal for your family, a pot luck, or a meal for a friend. No matter what, you won’t be disappointed and it makes for great leftovers too! Who can beat that?

Hamburger Noodle Casserole

5 cups uncooked yolk free noodles
1 pound lean ground beef
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans tomato sauce
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 pkg. (8 oz.) reduced fat cream cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup fat free sour cream
2 large tbsp. minced onion
2/3 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
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Cook noodles. Meanwhile brown beef in a medium skillet, add garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Drain meat and add tomato sauce, sugar, salt and pepper. Drain noodles and add to beef mixture.
In a small bowl beat cream cheese, ricotta and sour cream together, stir in minced onion.
Place half of noodle mixture into a 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with cheese mixture, then cover with remaining noodle mixture. Cover and bake for 30 minutes at 350º. Uncover and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer until cheese is melted.