Hamburger-Noodle Casserole

This is amazingly yummy and decadent!

(Last modified: 20250420.1601: 20211119.0900: )

• 2T 4T Butter
• 1 – 2 T Olive oil
• 1.4lb 2lb Ground beef (80% lean) or .7 1 lb pork & .7 1 lb ground beef
• 5 Cloves of garlic, chopped finely
• 1-½t Chili powder
• ½t Paprika
• ½t Turmeric
• ½t Fresh chopped ginger
• 1t Salt
• 2 Bay leaves
• Lots of freshly ground black pepper
• 1t to 2t Hot sauce (we use Rex™ Louisiana hot sauce)
• A few drops of wostershire sauce
• A few drops of soy sauce
• A few drops of sesame oil
• 1t Sugar or other sweetener, like maple syrup or molasses
• 1-¼C 1-½C Red wine
• Juice of ½ fresh lime

1. Combine above ingredients and saute meat until done.
2. Add the following tomato ingredients and simmer 30 minutes:
   • A few fresh tomatoes, chopped medium (increase the percentage of fresh when in season)
   • 1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
   • 1 6oz can tomato paste
3. Cook noodles (about 6 minutes, until al dente since they will be cooked further in the oven):
   • 24 oz extra wide noodles (1-½ 16oz packages)
4. Place meat / tomato sauce mixture in two large clay casseroles
5. Add chopped onion, sour cream, cream cheese, and mushrooms:
   • 1 ½ large onions
   • 8 oz package of cream cheese
   • 16oz sour cream
   • 4oz fresh mushrooms, chopped coarsley
6. Top with generous slices of cheddar cheese:
   • 4 or 5 thick slices of extra sharp cheddar cheese
7. Bake 25 - 30 minutes in oven at 350 degrees F.