Patchwork Casserole
Ingredients
2 lbs. ground beef
2 reen bell peppers chopped
1 arge onion chopped
2 lbs. frozen hash brown potatoes thawed
2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 cup water1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper1 pound American cheese slices
Directions
1 Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2 Cook ground beef in large skillet over medium heat until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Drain off fat.
3 Add bell peppers and onion to skillet; cook and stir until tender,
4 minutes. Stir in potatoes, tomato sauce, water, tomato paste, salt, basil and black pepper. 4 Spoon half of meat mixture into a 3-quart baking dish; top with half of cheese. Spoon remaining meat mixture evenly on top of cheese. Cover dish with aluminum foil. Bake 45 minutes.
5 Cut remaining cheese into decorative shapes; place on top of casserole. Let stand, loosely covered, until cheese melts, about 5 minutes.