FAMILY-FRIENDLY Noodle Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 (12 oz.) package egg noodles
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 C. fresh sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 C. chopped green bell pepper
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
• 1/4 tsp chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp white sugar
• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
• 1 (8 oz.) container sour cream
• 1/2 C. chopped green onions
• 1/2 C. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pinch paprika

Directions

1. In a large pan of lightly salted boiling water, cook the egg noodles till desired doneness
   (about 5 mins).
2. Drain them well and keep everything aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat the oil on medium heat, sauté the bell pepper, mushrooms and onion
   for about 5 minutes.
4. Add the beef and cook till browned completely.
5. Drain the excess fat from the skillet.
6. Stir in the tomatoes, parsley, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt
   and black pepper and simmer, covered for about 30 minutes, , stirring occasionally.
7. Set your oven to 325 degrees F and grease a large casserole dish.
8. In a bowl, mix together the sour cream, cream cheese, 1/4 C. of the Parmesan and green
   onion.

9.Place the cooked noodles in the bottom of the casserole dish evenly, followed by the
tomato mixture, cream cheese mixture and top the mix with the remaining Parmesan and
paprika.

10. Cook everything in the oven for about 45 minutes.