Easy Two Brits try Real Midwestern Comfort Food
Easy homemade Midwestern comfort food casserole with lean beef, mushrooms, and creamy sauce. Perfect weeknight dinner recipe.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles or whole grain pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef, 90% lean
- 2 medium yellow onions, finely diced
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced thin
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 0.75 cup Greek yogurt, plain
- 0.5 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup crispy fried onions, divided
- 2 tablespoons fresh green onions, sliced thin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9-by-13-inch baking dish by lightly coating it with cooking spray.
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat and cook the egg noodles according to package directions until just tender, then drain and set aside.
- 3
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks until no pink remains, about 6 minutes.
- 4
Push the cooked beef to the side of the skillet and add the diced onions to the empty space, sautéing until softened and beginning to turn golden, approximately 4 minutes.
- 5
Add the sliced mushrooms and minced garlic to the skillet, stirring to combine with the beef and onions, and cook until the mushrooms release their moisture and become tender, about 5 minutes.
- 6
Reduce the heat to medium and sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture, stirring constantly for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
- 7
Pour in the beef broth slowly while stirring, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, and simmer gently for 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- 8
Remove the skillet from heat and whisk the Greek yogurt with the Dijon mustard in a small bowl, then fold this mixture into the beef mixture until well combined.
- 9
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, fresh thyme, salt, and black pepper, tasting and adjusting seasonings as needed.
- 10
Combine the cooked noodles with the beef and mushroom mixture in the prepared baking dish, folding gently until evenly distributed.
- 11
Sprinkle half of the crispy fried onions evenly across the top of the casserole.
- 12
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until the top begins to brown and the edges bubble slightly.
- 13
Remove from the oven and scatter the remaining fried onions across the top, then return to the oven for 5 additional minutes until the onions are golden and crispy.
- 14
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the creamy sauce to set slightly.
- 15
Garnish each serving with fresh green onions and serve while warm.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Egg noodles | Whole grain or chickpea pasta | Increases fiber content and provides more sustained energy without blood sugar spikes |
| Beef broth | Bone broth or reduced-sodium vegetable broth | Bone broth adds collagen for gut health; vegetable broth reduces sodium while maintaining flavor depth |
| Greek yogurt and cheddar | Full-fat Greek yogurt and aged Gruyère | Aged cheese provides more probiotic cultures; full-fat yogurt improves satiety and reduces inflammation |
| Crispy fried onions | Toasted panko breadcrumbs mixed with crispy sage leaves | Reduces processed ingredients while adding herbal notes; sage provides anti-inflammatory compounds |
| All-purpose flour | Sweet rice flour or cornstarch | Both create excellent silky texture with less gluten; cornstarch has neutral flavor |
| Regular ground beef | Ground bison or grass-fed beef | Leaner meat with higher omega-3 content and less inflammatory potential |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 6)
| Calories | 545 |
| Total Fat | 22g |
| Saturated Fat | 9g |
| Cholesterol | 78mg |
| Sodium | 620mg |
| Carbohydrates | 46g |
| Fiber | 6g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Protein | 42g |
Nutrition Comparison
| Classic | Metabolic Health | restaurant | Healthier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 545 | 385 | 620 | 420 |
| Protein | 42g | 32g | 42g | 38g |
| Carbs | 46g | 18g | 58g | 42g |
| Fat | 22g | 22g | 24g | 12g |
| Fiber | 6g | 7g | 4g | 6g |
| Sugar | 4g | - | - | - |
| Health Scores | ||||
| Gut Health | 7/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Anti-Inflammatory | 7/10 | 9/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Blood Sugar | 7/10 | 9/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
