Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and spray it lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This will ensure that your casserole comes out easily once it's baked.
Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain them well and set them aside. It's important not to overcook the noodles, as they will continue to cook in the oven.
While the noodles are cooking, in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to crumble the beef as it cooks. When it's about halfway browned, add the onion and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are translucent.
Next, drain any excess grease from the skillet. Place it back on the heat and stir in the Italian seasoning, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, sugar, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Let this simmer for about 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Now, it's time to combine. Stir the cooked noodles into the meat sauce until everything is well coated. Spread half of this mixture evenly in the bottom of your prepared baking pan.
In a medium bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, spinach, and Parmesan cheese until well combined. This creamy mixture adds a delightful layer to your casserole.
Spread the cottage cheese mixture over the first layer of noodles and sauce. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese on top of this layer.
Layer the remaining noodle and sauce mixture over the cheese layer, then top it off with the remaining mozzarella cheese. This creates a delicious, cheesy top that will melt beautifully in the oven.
Cover the dish with foil, taking care to spray the underside with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This will keep the cheese from clumping to the foil while baking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. If desired, garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
