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Vegetarian Noodle Surprise Casserole

A Delicious, Kid-friendly High-protein Pasta Dinner

Mar 17, 2009 Patti Miller

This recipe is pure comfort food. Creamy, with just enough dark tanginess to pique the taste buds, the crunch of the sunflower seeds comes as a delightful surprise.

Pasta casseroles bring thoughts of happy family dinners around the kitchen table. They're easy to make, inexpensive, and beloved by everyone, from the little one who's just learning to use a fork to grandparents.

Warm your insides on a cool night with this delightful, easy-to-make casserole. It's perfect for a casual family meal or a friendly potluck. Kids love it, and it comes with the added surprise of meeting half your daily requirement for protein. The yogurt adds a bright flavor that cheers up a boring dinner and adds calcium and protein to the menu.

Noodle Surprise

2 cups whole wheat or whole wheat blend macaroni, cooked as directed until nearly done
1 medium onion, chopped into small pieces
6 large mushrooms, chopped
1/2 cup sunflower seeds, shelled
2 tablespoons oil
1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese, grated
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup yogurt, plain
2 pinches pepper
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon Worcestershire or soy sauce, vegetarian
¼ cup bread crumbs

Directions:

Saute the onions, sunflower seeds and mushrooms in the oil until the vegetables are soft and the seeds are crisp. This should take about 5 minutes.
Combine the noodles with the vegetables and seeds. Stir in eggs, yogurt, 1 cup of the cheese, pepper, salt, and Worcestershire or soy sauce.
Turn into an oiled casserole, top with bread crumbs and 1/4 cup cheese. Bake at 350 degrees, covered, for 35 minutes or until firm. Remove the cover and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, until nicely browned on top.

Recipe Notes

Mildly -flavored pasta works best for this recipe, since the other flavors are not strong. Small shapes, such as macaroni, bowties, small shells, etc., can be used.

Experiment with different cheeses. Provolone is nice, an added sprinkle or two of Parmesan is also good. Try Edam, Swiss, or any mild white cheese. For a new treat, try using pepper cheese.

Worcestershire sauce is usually made with anchovies, but excellent vegetarian versions do exist at stores that carry natural foods, and at online retailers.

Serve this casserole with a crisp green salad, fresh bread and another veggie, such as cooked carrots or steamed broccoli with lemon pepper.

This recipe can be made in advance and refrigerated. Just cover well and allow an extra twenty minutes of cooking time.

Leftovers reheat very well in the microwave. This is a good dish to take to work for lunch the next day.

Enjoy this dish any time of the year, but it is especially good on damp, chilly days. The tanginess of the sauce brings a bit of sunshine into a drab day.

The copyright of the article Vegetarian Noodle Surprise Casserole in Vegetarian Cuisine is owned by Patti Miller. Permission to republish Vegetarian Noodle Surprise Casserole in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.