Ricotta Cheese-Beefalo Casserole


Don’t expect to find packages of beefalo on supermarket shelves any time soon, but this hybrid cross of a domestic beef cow and a bison delivers beefy taste in a low-fat, low-cholesterol package. “The cross appeals to those who yearn for a taste of the old West and those who want the advantages [of beefalo] from a health standpoint,” said Eldon Cole, livestock specialist at the University of Missouri Extension.

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs. ground beefalo
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 bell pepper, diced
3/4 cup oatmeal or bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
2 eggs
Non-stick cooking spray
1 16-oz. container of Ricotta cheese
1/2 cup tomato-based spaghetti sauce, prepared or homemade

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• Combine the beefalo, onion, bell pepper, bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper and 1 of the eggs. Mix well.

• Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.

• Press half of the beefalo mixture in the dish.

• Lightly beat the other egg, mix in the Ricotta and spread it over the layer of beefalo.

• Top with the remaining beefalo mixture and spread spaghetti sauce on the top.

• Bake 35 to 40 minutes.