suemunzlinger's Recipe

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Category: Main Dish

Ingredients
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing dish

12 ounces extra-wide egg noodles

10 ounces white mushrooms, halved or quartered
Freshly ground pepper

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups frozen pearl onions, thawed (or use 1 small fresh onion chopped)

1 large carrot, peeled,halved lengthwise and sliced thinly across

1 large stalk celery, peeled, sliced thinly

2 sprigs fresh thyme ( 1 sprig fresh thyme = 1/2 tsp dried)

1/2 cup dry white wine or vermouth (if you do not have wine,
add 2 tbls dry sherry to 1/2 cup chicken or veggie stock)

4 cups low sodium chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream (do not use half and half)

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, skin and bones discarded (or 2 cups shredded chicken you cooked)

2 tablespoons chopped parsley or 1 tablespoon dried)

1 cup shredded Gouda (about 4 ounces)
(Substitute Edam OR Monterey Jack OR Muenster cheese)






Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish.

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook until al dente, about 4 minutes. Strain.

Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned all over, about 3 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.

Lower the heat to medium and melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in the Dutch oven. Whisk in the flour to form a loose paste. Stir in the onions, carrots, celery and thyme and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook for 5 minutes to soften, then add the wine. Whisk for 30 seconds, then add the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the thyme sprigs; fold in the noodles, mushrooms, chicken and parsley and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the buttered casserole dish and top with the Gouda.

Bake until bubbly and brown on top, 40 to 45 minutes.