Meatball Noodle Casserole

Meatball Noodle Casserole

Ingredients:

**For the Meatballs:**
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1/2 lb ground pork
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/4 cup milk
– 1 large egg
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp salt
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
– 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (optional)

**For the Casserole:**
– 12 oz egg noodles
– 2 cups beef broth
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
– 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup sour cream
– 1 tbsp butter
– 1 medium onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. **Prepare the Meatballs:**
– Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
– In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Mix until well combined.
– Form the mixture into small meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
– Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and browned.

2. **Cook the Noodles:**
– While the meatballs are baking, cook the egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. **Prepare the Sauce:**
– In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
– Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
– Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
– Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes to cook the flour.
– Gradually add the beef broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
– Add the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce, stirring until the sauce is smooth and begins to thicken.
– Stir in the sour cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. **Assemble the Casserole:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if it was turned off after baking the meatballs.
– In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked egg noodles, meatballs, and sauce until the noodles and meatballs are well coated with the sauce.
– Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
– Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and bubbling.

5. **Serve:**
– Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Enjoy your hearty meatball noodle casserole!