Texas Hash

“This recipe is great for a cold winter night,” said Lee Ann Dowell, a chef at Lakeview Village, a retirement housing complex in Lenexa. “It also makes a lot, so you can halve the recipe if necessary.”

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sauté 1 pound lean ground beef until done over medium-high heat in a skillet. Add 2 large chopped onions and 1 large chopped green pepper and sauté until tender. Add 2 cups canned diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons salt, a dash of black pepper and 1 cup uncooked rice (or 2 cups uncooked noodles of choice).

Transfer to a large baking dish. Cover and bake for 1 hour. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.