Roman Holiday

I have looked online to see if there is a similar recipe called Roman Holiday, but they are different from the one I know. My grandmother made this during the depression but used ketchup in place of the sauce - I can't imagine what that tasted like! My mother changed it to this recipe and our family loved it

Roman Holiday
1 lb ground beef
1 pkg large elbow macaroni
 2 large cans Spaghetti sauce
American cheese

 Brown ground beef and drain. While it is cooking, make your macaroni so it is ready when the ground beef is finished. Mix Spaghetti sauce, ground beef and macaroni together and layer in 4 qt casserole the mix and slices of American cheese, the mix and another layer of American cheese. Place in 350 degree oven for half hour or until hot and cheese is melted.

You would be surprised how good this is - the American cheese is always a surprise to people and it changes the taste from something made with mozzarella to something with a bit of zing to it. My daughters change it up a little more by making it with mushrooms.

I changed it a little by making my own spaghetti sauce:

1- 28 oz. can of tomato puree
1-28 oz. can of crushed tomato
1-28 oz. can of diced tomatoes
1 lb ground beef cooked and drained
1 lb sweet Italian Sausage (uncooked)
1 Tbsp Basil
1 Tbsp Oregano
2 cloves garlic chopped fine
1/4 tsp Onion Powder (you can use onion, I just hate the texture of it!)

1 lb medium elbow macaroni or medium size shells
 8 slices American cheese


Put everything except the macaroni and American cheese into crock-pot and cook on low for 6 hours. (You can also cook it on the stove for several hours if you prefer) The sausage will cook well and lend its flavor to the sauce.)

Cook your macaroni and mix it with the sauce. Layer it into large 4 qt bowl or 13x9 pan. After first layer cover with sliced cheese (you may need a few more slices for the pan) and cover with another layer of sauce and cheese.

This easily feeds a family of 6 with left overs for lunch. I half it and use a 2 qt bowl and it makes two dinners and some left for lunch for the two of us

I always make it when we are expecting a large crowd and everyone loves it - Served with some salad and garlic bread gives  you a good meal!