Patchwork Casserole - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lb. ground beef
2 c. chopped green bell pepper
1 c. chopped onion
2 lb. frozen Southern-style hash brown potatoes, thawed
2 (8 oz. each) cans tomato sauce
1 c. water
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 lb. American cheese, thinly sliced and divided

Preparation

Cook and stir in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crumbled and brown, the beef, about 10 minutes.
Drain off fat. Add green pepper and onion; cook and stir until soft, about 4 minutes.
Stir in all remaining ingredients except cheese.
Spoon 1/2 of the meat mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan or 3-quart baking dish; top with 1/2 the cheese.
Spoon remaining meat mixture evenly over cheese.
Cover pan with foil.
Bake at 350\u00b0 for 45 minutes.
Cut remaining cheese slices into decorative shapes.
Place on top of casserole.
Let stand, loosely covered, until cheese melts.