Okay, this is Casserole Making-101, and if you're looking for a recipe to prepare for dinner tonight that will taste "just the way Mom used to make it, " follow the directions listed below and bring your appetite. It must have amazed you how a pound of hamburger could be stretched to serve eight, right? The recipe that follows is how Mom made it easy.

Now, let's say you like the idea of today's recipe, but the extra 5 miles you'll have to jog, swim, or roller blade after partaking of this feast doesn't enthuse you? Then substitute ground turkey for the hamburger, and use low-fat cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream, and get cooking . . . because this is the one-dish meal from The Cook & Kitchen Staff's "Creative Casserole" collection that is a must-serve.

In a large skillet, brown the hamburger with the onion over medium heat setting until the meat is lightly browned and the onion is tender. Drain off excess fat and return to the skillet. Stir in tomato sauce, sugar, salt, garlic salt, and pepper. Remove meat sauce from heat and reserve.

Meanwhile, cook the noodles as directed on the package, drain, and reserve.

In a small bowl combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, green onions and green bell pepper.

Spread about half of the noodles in a 13-inch by 9-inch oven-proof baking pan. Spread about half the meat sauce evenly over the top of the noodles. Cover with cheese mixture. Add the remaining noodles and top with the remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake in a pre-heated 350-F degree oven for about 30 minutes.

Great served with a leafy salad and garlic bread.

v2.0l.