Esther Johnson's Macaroni Casserole

3 c. macaroni                             1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1-1/2 lb. hamburger                   2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
1 lg. onion or 2 sm. ones *         1/4 c. grated American cheese
2 sprigs parsley                          1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 green pepper, med.               Salt and Pepper
2 sticks celery                            Paprika
1 sm. clove garlic *                    Extra Parmesan for topping

Cook macaroni in salted water. Rinse and drain. Fry hamburger as for spaghetti sauce (breaking up into bits as it fries). Sauté onion, parsley, pepper and salt, green pepper cut into strips, celery, garlic on low heat with hamburger, until these are soft.

Add tomato sauce and blend. Put into casserole dish with macaroni. Add the 2 tbsp. Parmesan and the 1/4 c. grated American cheese, soup, and blend. Sprinkle lightly on top with more Parmesan cheese and paprika.

NOTE: * Use dried onion, chopped - in half the proportions listed on bottle for one onion, or one clove garlic. Dried onion and garlic saves time and tastes better.

Bake at 350 deg. until cheese on top melts - about 1/2 hour.    Serves 10-12.

- Esther Johnson, 1970
  Kenn Johnson's wife
  Washington State Historical Society
  Tacoma, Washington