Joan's Italian Delight 🇮🇹🍽️

This hearty Italian dish combines the flavors of savory meat and creamy cheeses, creating a delightful meal that's perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners. Easy to prepare and oh-so satisfying, this recipe will have everyone coming back for seconds! Pair it with a fresh side salad or garlic bread for a complete Italian experience. 🥗🍞

Ingredients

For the meat sauce

• 1 lb. lean ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 can mushroom pieces, drained
• 1 - 14 oz. jar pizza sauce or tomato sauce
• 1 tsp. salt (optional)
• ½ tsp. garlic powder
• ¾ tsp. pepper
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

For the cheese mixture

• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 - 3 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
• 2/3 cup cottage cheese (or ricotta)
• 1 egg (or Egg Beater to equal)

For the topping

• 1 - 4 oz. low-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Grated Italian cheese (for sprinkling)

For the noodle layer

• 1 - 8 oz. pkg. of egg noodles, cooked, drained, and rinsed

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, brown the ground meat over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain off any excess fat.
2. Add the chopped onion, drained mushrooms, pizza sauce, and seasonings (salt, garlic powder, pepper, sugar, Worcestershire sauce) to the meat. Simmer for about 15 minutes to meld the flavors together.

🍳 Tip: For extra flavor, sauté the onions with the meat until they are softened before adding the other ingredients!

3. In a separate bowl, mix together the sour cream, softened cream cheese, cottage cheese (or ricotta), and egg until smooth and creamy.
4. Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and rinse them under cold water.
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13x9x2 inch baking dish.
6. Spread the cooked noodles across the bottom of the dish like a crust.
7. Pour the meat sauce over the noodle layer, spreading it evenly.
8. Next, spread the creamy cheese mixture over the meat sauce, followed by a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
9. Finally, sprinkle grated Italian cheese on top for an added cheesy goodness.

🧀 Pro Tip: To make it extra cheesy, feel free to add more mozzarella or other cheeses of your choice on top!

10. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.

Serving Suggestions

• Garnish: Finish with fresh basil or parsley for a touch of color and additional flavor.
• Pairing: Serve with a robust red wine, such as Chianti, to complement the flavors of the dish.

Variations

• Vegetarian: Substitute ground meat with lentils or an assortment of sautéed vegetables for a delicious meatless option.
• Spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the meat sauce for an extra kick!
• Healthy twist: Use turkey or chicken for the meat, low-fat dairy options for the cheese, and whole wheat noodles for added fiber.

Enjoy this comforting dish, and don’t hesitate to share your own twists in the comments! 🍽️❤️