Goff Standby (Aka Spanish Rice Casserole)

My sister-in-law dubbed this "Goff Standby" because it was made of what was on hand, when she could not figure what else to fix for dinner.  She was also introduced to this dish by my mother-in-law.  Later we all discovered that the recipe originated with Great Grandmother Tuttle, but nevertheless the name stuck!

Rice:
1         Cup Long Grain White Rice, Uncooked

2         Cups Water

1         Teaspoon Salt

1         Tablespoon Butter

Casserole:

1         Pound Ground Beef

1         Medium Onion, Diced

1         Pound Can Stewed Tomatoes

1      8 Ounce Can Tomato Sauce

2         Pinches of Basil

 Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder to Taste.

1 Cup Grated Cheddar

Bring water, salt, and butter to a boil, stir in rice, return to a boil, place on lid, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 20 minutes.

While rice is cooking, brown the beef, onion, add seasonings, and drain of fat. Add tomatoes and tomato sauce and heat thoroughly. Put half the rice on the bottom of a greased casserole dish. Cover with half of the meat mixture.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup of cheese evenly over the meat mixture.  Repeat with rice, meat mixture, and top with cheese. Cover with a lid or foil. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.