Meatball Casserole - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce, divided
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/4 c. dry bread crumbs
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 (16 oz.) pkg. frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
3 oz. American cheese slices, cut in 1/2-inch strips
1 egg
1/4 c. chopped onions
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen mixed vegetables
1 Tbsp. butter, melted

Preparation

In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons tomato sauce with beef, egg, bread crumbs, onion and salt.
Shape into 1-inch balls. Place on a jelly roll pan and bake at 375\u00b0 for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned.
Meanwhile, in a skillet, combine remaining tomato sauce with vegetables and seasonings.
Cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through.
Stir in meatballs and set aside.
Place hash browns in greased 11 x 7 x 20-inch baking dish.
Brush with butter and bake at 375\u00b0 for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
Remove from oven and top with meatball mixture.
Arrange cheese strips in a lattice pattern on top; return to oven for 20 minutes.
Yields 6 servings.