Pizza Rice Casserole

Welcome, Grocery Cart Challenge recipe-swappers!! I was torn between using this recipe or my Stuffed French Toast, but since I did a French Toast recipe last week, I thought I'd link up this one instead. Thanks for visiting, and for more wonderful recipes, be sure and visit the recipe swap at Grocery Cart Challenge! :-)

This is a wonderful recipe to use up leftovers of spaghetti sauce, rice, and/or beef. It's quite versatile and can be a very inexpensive dinner! This is based on a recipe that was printed in Country Woman magazine several years ago.

Pizza Rice Casserole

1/2 lb. ground beef (or a cup or two of leftover shredded beef)
2 c. tomato sauce (or leftover spaghetti sauce)
1 t. sugar
1 t. salt (if using tomato sauce)
1 t. Italian seasoning
2 c. cooked rice
1/2 c. cottage cheese
1/2 c. shredded mozzarella

If using ground beef, cook and drain the meat. If using already cooked, leftover beef, just put it in a skillet. Add the tomato/spaghetti sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer about 10 minutes, covered.

Combine rice and cottage cheese. Layer half of this mixture in a greased casserole dish. Top with half of the meat mixture. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 30 minutes or till heated thru and cheese is bubbly.