Betty's Beef and Noodle Bake

 - Kyla Olson, Sargent, NE

"Mom would make this easy casserole often for my family growing up. One of my very favorite memories was of her making big pans of this casserole and freezing them before we went on our ski vacation to Colorado. She would pop the casserole dishes in the oven at the condo and we would have homemade food at night when we came off the ski slopes. Every time I eat this, it tastes like home. My Mom has been gone for 8 years. I do love that I have her recipes and my memories! Food can be a very powerful trigger of special times spent with lost loved ones."

Ingredients:

• I lb browned ground beef
• 6 oz wide egg noodles, par-boiled (about 7 minutes)
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 cup prepared salsa
• 1/2 cup water 
• 1 1/2 cup grated cheese (chedder, colby-jack, mozzarella, etc) 
•  Salt & pepper to taste

Cooking:

1. Stir all these ingredients together with the browned beef. 
2. Spray a 9x13 pan and pour mixture into pan. Top with 1/2 cup more grated cheese . . . more if you want it extra cheesy!
3. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350* about 20 min. 
4. Remove foil and allow cheese to brown about 5 min. Serve warm.
   
   Cook's Note: You can also stir in a some sliced black olives (that is what my Mom would do) and you could also sauté some onion with your beef as desired. Super easy and tasty!