Healthy, Easy, Good. Sometimes living healthy just needs to be easy, not fancy or glammed up.  That’s why I like this Grassfed Greek Casserole: It’s really just a play on spaghetti, with a Greek twist.

The net result is that my kiddos will eat it, I feel healthy, and at the end of the day I can check nutrition off my to-do list.  And, everyone needs a good casserole in their life, every once in awhile.  Enjoy friends.  This recipe was adapted from: Taste of Home, Ground Beef , July 2012

Grass Fed Greek Casserole

Serving Size: 8 servings

Cooking: Involved 

Prep Time: 20 min.

Cook Time: 2 hours

Ingredients

• 1 pound Grass Fed Ground Beef, frozen or thawed
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups uncooked mostaccioli
• 6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

1.) Brown Farmer Girl ground beef until the beef has lost its pink color. Farmer Girl ground beef can be browned from a frozen or thawed state.  Our beef can be very lean; add canola oil or water if needed to prevent burning. While the ground beef is browning, chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves.

2.) Once the beef has browned, stir in the onion, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper and thyme. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook the mostaccioli according to package directions; drain and set aside.

3.) After the meat sauce has simmered for 20 minutes, stir in the sugar and cinnamon. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes, uncovered.  Add the mostaccioli to the meat sauce.

4.) Pour the casserole into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle with the parmesan and feta cheese. Cover and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake at 350 degrees for an additional 10 minutes. If you like a crispy top, broil for 2 minutes or until the casserole reaches the desired crispiness.  Allow dish to rest to redistribute juices.  Enjoy!

Simple, easy, delicious. I hope you enjoy this Grass Fed Greek Casserole Recipe!