Beefy Polenta Casserole Food

MEATBALL AND POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• For the polenta: Heat the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oregano, garlic and onions. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock along with 1 cup of water and bring to a boil.
• Slowly add the cornmeal while whisking constantly to avoid clumping. Cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 20 minutes. Stir in the cream, ricotta and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and set aside off the heat.
• For the meatballs: Add the beef and pork to a large mixing bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, milk, parsley, eggs, 3/4 cup of the Parmesan, half the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Using clean hands, mix together until well combined. Use a scoop or your hands to form 20 evenly sized meatballs. Set them aside on a plate or baking sheet.
• Add the tomatoes, olive oil, basil, oregano and remaining garlic to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and give everything a quick stir. Transfer the meatballs to the baking dish and bake until browned, about 15 minutes. Transfer the meatballs and any pan juices to a large bowl.
• For the casserole: Transfer the reserved polenta to the baking dish you just used to bake the meatballs. Place the meatballs on top of the polenta, reserving any liquid or tomatoes in the bowl. Sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup Parmesan over the top of the casserole and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 40 minutes.
• When you are just about ready to serve, pour the pan juices into a saucepan and warm over medium heat.
• Sprinkle the casserole with more grated Parmesan and chopped parsley. Serve with the warmed pan sauce on the side.
• Freezer directions: Once the casserole is assembled, do not bake it. Allow the casserole to cool completely and allow the reserved sauce and tomatoes from cooking the meatballs to do the same in a separate container. This will take 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Wrap the casserole in plastic wrap and then foil. Put the sauce in a separate freezer-safe container. Label, date and freeze both until ready to eat.
• To cook, allow both the casserole and sauce to thaw completely in the refrigerator, preferably overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Bake the unwrapped casserole until bubbly and golden brown, about 40 minutes. Reheat the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through.

BEEFY POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Grease pie plate, 9x1 1/4 inches. Mix cornmeal and cold water in 1-quart saucepan. Stir in boiling water and salt. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally; remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth. Spread on bottom and up side of pie plate. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours until completely firm.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Cover cornmeal mixture in pie plate with aluminum foil; bake 30 minutes. Cook beef in 10-inch skillet over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until brown; drain. Stir in spinach, pasta sauce and marjoram.
• Spoon beef mixture into polenta shell. Cover and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

BEEFY NOODLE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente; drain and return to pot., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, 6-8 minutes; drain. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar and seasonings. Transfer to a greased 11x7-in. baking dish., Stir sour cream, cream cheese and green onions into macaroni. Spoon over beef mixture, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with cheese., Bake, covered, until bubbly, 15-20 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

CHEESY BEEFY CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook egg noodles per package directions.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown beef until meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
• Add oil if needed.
• Add tomato sauce, tomatoes, salt and pepper and simmer 5 minutes.
• With an electric mixer, beat together sour cream, cream cheese, and cottage cheese in a medium bowl.
• Fold in onions and bell pepper and mix well.
• In 9 x 13-inch baking dish lightly coated with cooking spray, add half of the noodles, half the cheese mixture and half the meat mixture in layers.
• Repeat layers, ending with meat.
• Top with cheddar cheese.
• Cover and bake 30 minutes.
• Uncover and bake until bubbly, about 15 minutes longer.
• Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.