The leaves are just starting to pop out, and the grass has changed from straw-coloured to a glorious green. All of the new green is a welcome sight to the eyes, after a long winter and dry spring. We just finished seeding two hours before the rain came, and this dish happened to be part of our celebration meal.
This casserole was one of the ones that I made on repeat a few times by request. This is a fast and time-efficient casserole, perfect for when you need to have a whole meal ready in a short time. All the ingredients in this recipe are so healthy. I used beef hamburger, but you can use any kind, chicken, turkey, or moose however if you use pork burger, fry the burger first and then add the water to ensure that you have reached a high enough temperature to cook.
Onions are a great source of the nutrient quercetin, and the good news is that cooked onions retain this beneficial nutrient, undamaged by the heat. Quercetin is a flavonoid that may inhibit the growth of certain cancers. Quercetin has been shown to lower bad cholesterol, raise good cholesterol, and be protective of the cardiovascular system. Onions are a natural source of both quercetin and chromium, which both assist in blood sugar control. Onions and garlic contain sulfur compounds that work to detox our bodies by binding to heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium and then escorting them out of the body.
Tomatoes contain many important vitamins and antioxidants including lots of lycopene, vitamin C and vitamin A. Lycopene is what gives the tomato its red colour. Lycopene helps prevent prostate, lung, and stomach cancer. The lycopene in tomatoes retains its potency and benefits, even when cooked. Italian seasoning is a mixture of herbs like oregano and rosemary, known for their anti-fungal and immune-boosting properties. As you can see, this is a one-pot dish, a stove-top casserole, full of amazing natural health benefits. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family and I do.
Stove Top Italian Casserole
1 pound ground burger
1 cup macaroni
1 large onion chopped
1 1/2 cups water
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 can of diced tomatoes, 796 ml
2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Cheese, sliced
Cook 1 cup of dry macaroni in boiling water until a la dente. Cook the burger in the water, add the onion and garlic, and simmer for 5 minutes, add the canned tomatoes, cooked macaroni, and seasonings. While the mixture is hot and fully cooked cover the top with sliced cheese, turn off the heat, and put the lid on for the cheese to melt. Serve as is in bowls or serve with garlic toast, and/or a side of salad.
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