Greek Goddess Hot Dish

Minnesota—land of the “hot dish”. Who doesn’t love a hearty casserole on a chilly day? Especially a warm spicy one that fills you head to toe.  The amazing combination of tomato sauce and thick, heavy minty cream gives this dish the hearty, happy tummy feel I love in winter. A labor of love to put it all together, but so worth it!  Bring out the Goddess in you.  Spoil yourself with some Greek comfort food, guests will love this flavorful dish!

• 2 T Butter
• salt
• 12 ounces wide egg noodles
• 2 T EVOO
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 t freshly ground black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 lb ground lamb
• 2 T ground cumin
• 2 t ground coriander
• 1 t ground cinnamon
• 1 t ground allspice
• One 26-oz jar tomato-basil sauce
• 1 ½ C fresh mint leaves, chopped and packed

Cheese Sauce:

• 1 C milk
• ½ C heavy cream
• 3 cups fresh grated Parmesan
• 1 C plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ C chopped fresh mint leaves
• (if possible, have the milk, cream and yogurt at room temperature)

1. Preheat to 400 degrees F.
2. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the noodles until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 7 to 9 minutes.
4. Drain and transfer noodles to a large bowl and set aside.
5. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet.
6. Add the onion, 1 t salt and 1/2 t pepper.
7. Cook, stirring occasionally until soft, about 4 minutes.
8. Add the garlic and cook about a minute.
9. Add the lamb, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, 1 t. salt and the remaining 1/4 t pepper.
10. Cook, stirring frequently, until cooked through, about 6 minutes.
11. Add the tomato sauce and mint.
12. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
13. Set mixture aside.

Now for the sauce:

1. Simmer the milk and cream over medium heat in a medium saucepan.
2. Reduce the heat to low.
3. Add the cheese and whisk until melted and the sauce is smooth.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the yogurt.
5. Set cheese sauce aside.
6. Add the meat sauce to the pasta and toss until the noodles are well coated.
7. Transfer the meat mixture to the baking dish.
8. Spoon the cheese sauce evenly over the top and bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
9. Cool for 10 minutes.
10. Sprinkle with remaining chopped mint.

Serve with a Cesar Salad and a nice tray of Garlic Olives. You will be revered as a Greek Goddess!

Makes enough for 6 or more people

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