• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Combine two cups of cooked rice with cottage cheese and set aside.

To cook approximately two cups of rice on the stove top

• Rinse one cup of rice and strain well.
• Place in stainless steel pot.
• Add 1 ¾ cup water, ½ tsp salt and 1 tbsp butter.
  
• Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
  
• Boil for about two minutes, then reduce heat to low.
• Cover and let cook for 30 minutes without lifting the lid.
  

To make hamburger mixture

• Brown ground beef in a skillet until no pink is showing.
• Add half a cup of water and stir to “wash” the hamburger. Tilt the skillet to drain off the water and fat.
  
• Add onion, garlic, peppers and mushrooms and cook for a couple minutes.
• Add remaining ingredients. Stir.
• If you are waiting for the rice to cook, reduce heat on the hamburger mixture, cover and simmer until the rice is ready.

Assembling the casserole

• Put half of the hamburger mixture in a medium casserole.
• Layer with rice mixture.
• Spread remaining hamburger mixture on top.
• Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
• Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.