Ground Beef Spiral Bake

(recipe by Monika Rahn, Dillsburn Pennsylvania) she wrote:
This recipe is easy to make, tastes just great, and freezes well. This meaty casserole is perfect for big groups since it has classic ingredients everyone loves!

1 package (16 oz) spiral pasta
2 lbs ground beef
2/3 cup chopped onion
1 tsp minced garlic
2 jars (28 oz each) spaghetti sauce
2 tbs tomato paste
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
4 cups (16 oz) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

::Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a dutch oven, (I used a skillet, I have yet to purchase a dutch oven)cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, tomato paste, basil and oregano. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes.

::Stir pasta into meat mixture. Transfer to two greases 13-in x 9-in baking dishes. Sprinkle each with 2 cups cheese. Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months.

::Bake the second casserole, uncovered, at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

::To use frozen casserole: Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Bake, uncovered at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until heated through.

****I halved this recipe and only made 1 casserole to make sure we all liked it before I bothered with freezing one for later. Next time I'll definitely be making 2 casseroles and freezing one of them for a quick meal on a day I work. My 4 year old and my husband loved this new concoction so we'll be adding it to our menu more often. It's super easy, and tasty!****