Beef Noodle Casserole

 

Ingredients:
•  ½ tsp. salt
•  12 oz. wide egg noodles
•  2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
•  2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
•  1 lb. lean ground beef
•  1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
•  3 cloves garlic, minced
•  1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
•  1 (10.5 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
•  1/3 cup heavy cream
•  8 oz. sharp white cheddar, shredded, divided
•  chopped fresh parsley to garnish

Instructions:
•  Preheat oven to 350°.
•  Cook noodles in large pot of boiling salted water 
(1-2 min. less than al dente instructions on package). **Reserving 1 cup pasta water, drain noodles. 
Return noodles to empty pot, add butter, coat well.
•  Meanwhile, in another large pot on medium-high, heat oil. Cook beef until no longer pink, 4-5 min. Season with salt.
•  Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and garlic, stirring until onion is translucent, 4-5 min.
•  Add tomato sauce, soup, cream, and one-third of cheese. Bring to simmer adding half to 1 cup pasta water, mix well until cheese melts, about 1 min.
•  Add noodles to pot, fold thoroughly into meat mixture.
•  Pour into 13” x 9” baking dish, sprinkle with remaining cheese.
•  Bake casserole until bubbly, about 30 min. Garnish with fresh parsley.