Granny'S Cherokee Casserole - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup instant rice
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can cut green beans, drained (I use GG kitchen cut for this)
6 slices American cheese

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350.
Brown ground beef and onions in a dutch oven until beef is no longer pink.
Drain excess fat.
Add the remaining ingredients, except for the cheese, and mix well.
Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
Place in a 9 x 13 casserole dish and top with the slices of cheese.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until cheese is bubbling and starting to brown.
**NOTE**-Thisfreezes well (without the cheese, of course) so I usually make mine in 2 8 x 8 disposable pans and put one in the freezer for later.
Add a small salad and some fruit and you've got an easy meal!
**Istill think when I read it each time that it is too much garlic powder, but I have tried with less and it really does need that much.
I also don't know why the sugar is there, but the taste is not the same without it!