Melting Pot Casserole

Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 8 ounces elbow macaroni (or use penne, ziti, shells, spaghetti or fettuccine broken into 2 inch pieces, or any combination)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 large garlic clove, chopped
• 1 fresh jalapeno chilies (minced) or 1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 1/2-2 cups lean lamb (or use beef, lamb, ham, chicken, or turkey)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated (or use fontina, provolone, or swiss)
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 -2 cup spinach, cooked and chopped (or use swiss chard, broccoli, zucchini, or green cabbage)
• 2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs or 2 tablespoons cracker crumbs

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 375 and lightly oil a shallow 2-quart casserole or 8-9" square pan.
• 2 drop pasta into a large pot of lightly salted boiling water over high heat.
• 3 stir until the boil returns and then frequently until the pasta is tender but firm (10 to 12 minutes).
• 4 drain and transfer to a large bowl. toss with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil.
• 5 add the oregano, basil, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and toss again.
• 6 spoon the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil into a large skillet over moderate heat.
• 7 add the onion and saute to soften, 3 to 5 minutes.
• 8 add the garlic, hot pepper, thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• 9 saute for 1 minute longer and add the meat. increase the heat and lightly brown for 2 to 3 minutes.
• 10 melt the butter in a medium saucepan over moderate heat.
• 11 stir in the flour and cook, stirring for 1 minute. the mixture will be dry.
• 12 pour in the milk and stir over moderate heat until thickened and simmering.
• 13 lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes longer.
• 14 remove from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted.
• 15 spoon 1/3 of the pasta into the prepared casserole.
• 16 top with half of the meat.
• 17 spoon on 1/3 cup of the tomato sauce.
• 18 add half of the cooked vegetables and 1/3 of the cheese sauce.
• 19 repeat the layering once more.
• 20 top with the remaining pasta.
• 21 drizzle the remaining tomato sauce over the top and sprinkle with the remaining cheese sauce and bread crumbs.
• 22 bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown on top and bubbly around the edges. serve hot.
• 23 if you reheat this dish later from room temperature: bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. if it's cold add and extra 15 minutes.