Ashley's Ground Beef Casserole

One of the great things about cooking, at least for me, is seeing the smiles on the faces of those "breaking" your bread.  I learned a long time ago that food is one of many common threads that binds us all together as one and there is no greater joy than sharing your labors with others around you.  I've also learned that the little things mean the most.

I have always been blessed with a work schedule more flexible than most, so I would cook as often as I could and one of my favorite things to make was a ground beef casserole. And one of things that went along with the casserole was the smile on my daughter's face when I told her that's what we were having for supper.  She just kind of lit up.

If you plan it right you can have this in the oven within 30 minutes and be at the table in 30 more.

1-1.5 pounds lean ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 cans condensed tomato soup
8-10 ounces frozen corn
2 cloves garlic (optional but very good)
1-16 ounce bag wide noodles
1 cup of any cheese of choice, grated or torn into small pieces (Velveeta...yum)

Dice the onion and preheat the oven to 350.  In a large skillet, begin to brown the beef adding the onion after a few minutes.  Continue to cook until onions are translucent and beef is totally browned. Drain any excess grease, return to skillet, add tomato soup and garlic and bring to a simmer.  While simmering the beef, bring water to boil in a Dutch oven and cook noodles per the directions on the bag.  Drain noodles when al dente.  In a microwave safe bowl defrost 8-10 ounces of frozen corn and drain moisture.

In the Dutch oven, combine the beef/onion/soup/garlic mixture, cup of cheese, corn, and noodles.  Mix well and place covered in oven for 20-25 minutes.  Uncover and cook untill just bubbling around the edges.  Have been fixing this for over 20 years and still makes Ashley smile.  Hope you do too.