A layer of seasoned meat, pasta, and vegetables, topped with a cheesy sauce and baked until golden

1/2 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces (uncooked weight) shell or spiral pasta, cooked according to package instructions
3 cups cooked bite-sized vegetables (peas, carrots, green beans, corn)
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons flour
1 1/4 cups milk
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon mustard
salt and pepper, to taste
Parmesan cheese, for serving

1. Fry the meat with the onion and garlic. Drain grease, and add tomato, salt, and pepper. Cook 5-10 minutes longer.

2. Mix meat mixture, vegetables, and cooked pasta. Spread in the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.

3. In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour; then add milk and bring to a boil. Simmer for a few minutes until thickened. Stir in mustard. Remove from heat and stir in half of the shredded cheese. Pour over meat and vegetable mixture.

4. Spread the rest of the shredded cheese on top, and bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese when serving.

This is an economical dish to make, and I like dishes that include some meat, grain, and vegetables, too! You can alter the amounts of vegetables to your preference. I think this tastes somewhat like sheperd's pie. It's very pretty. It's also a great use of leftover vegetables or meat. My rating: 7/10.