Lentil And Cheese Casserole

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (regular or reduced-fat)
• 2 cups cooked lentils
• 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

Recipe

• 1 *to cook the lentils--in a medium saucepan with a lid, bring 3 cups water to a boil.
• 2 rinse 1 1/2 cups lentils in a colander or bowl; add the lentils to the boiling water; decrease heat, cover the pan, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until the lentils are tender to the bite; drain any remaining liquid.
• 3 this may produce more than 2 cups lentils, so measure them first.
• 4 preheat oven to 350°.
• 5 in a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients except the tomato sauce; taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
• 6 spread mixture evenly in a loaf pan coated with nonstick cooking spray.
• 7 cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
• 8 serve sliced with warm tomato sauce, or make sandwiches on english muffins.