This quick and easy casserole was a favorite when I was young. I forgot all about it until I was reading The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride in which this dish was served up for dinner one evening.
I want to thank my friend, Camilla, of Culinary Cam for choosing this novel for February's Lit Happens.
Mr. Murray McBride is celebrating his 100th birthday and he prays that this will be his last. He lost his wife of 80 years a year and a half ago and both of his sons had predeceased her. He cannot understand why he is still alive and doing so well for his age.
He has gotten crotchety in his old age and ruminates on his regrets unceasingly. His doctor encourages him to volunteer with children in an attempt to get some zest back into his life. Mr. Murray McBride finds himself at Children's Hospital where he meets Jason Cashman who is playing a video game in the waiting room.
Jason, who is obviously very ill, is still quite spunky and animated. When Jason's father, who is very stressed and impatient, comes for him Jason drops a sheet of paper. Jason wants to return for the paper but his father ignores the request and onto the elevator, they go. When Mr. Murray McBride looks at the paper he realizes that he is looking at a list of 5 wishes that Jason wants to complete before he dies.
Thus starts a relationship between the old man and a young boy that is heart-touching and at times heart-wrenching. I loved each and every person that I met in this novel, except maybe the Dad at first, but soon my heart went out to him as well.
This was refreshing to me as the novel that our group read last month, chosen by me, was Table for Six and I hated every single person in that novel.
Shortly after Mr. Murray McBride meets Jason and returns his list, he is invited to the house for dinner where he is served Hamburger Hotdish. That was my inspiration for the recipe that I am sharing today.
I am sharing this recipe and review over at Foodies Read. Stop by and see what the other foodies are reading this month.
Yield: 6
Hamburger HotDish
This iconic one-pan hamburger and pasta casserole is quick, easy, and delicious.
Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 40 Min
Ingredients
- 8 oz. egg noodles (or pasta of choice), cooked per package directions
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 c. shredded Mexican blend cheeseC
Instructions
- Cook beef and onions, in large, oven-safe skillet, until beef is browned and crumbly and onion is softened and fragrant. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. Drain any grease from the pan.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook over high heat to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and stir in the pasta and 1 cup of the cheese.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake in a preheated 350* oven for 15-20 minutes until hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted.
Notes
Recipe from Betty Crocker.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
436Fat (grams)
27 gSat. Fat (grams)
12 gCarbs (grams)
23 gFiber (grams)
4 gNet carbs
19 gSugar (grams)
8 gProtein (grams)
26 gSodium (milligrams)
940 mgCholesterol (grams)
100 mg
Property of A Day in the Life on the Farm
That was the only other dish that jumped off the page for me. This recipe is comfort food at its best. You are right, these characters were a LOT more likable than in our previous read. :) Even Jason's dad finally had some redeeming qualities.
ReplyDeleteYes, for sure. But the bar was pretty low LOL...
DeleteMy post went live this morning, too.
ReplyDeleteI visited and loved the tie in with Ina.
DeleteI sobbed through the whole 2nd 1/2 of this book.
ReplyDeleteIt was very heart-wrenching.
Delete