Johnny Mazetti (Panama)

Posting for ZWT 7. This recipe comes from panamaliving.com/recipes web site.

• Ready In: 1 hr 45 mins
• Serves: 10-12

Ingredients

• 16  ounces  egg noodles
• 1 1⁄2  lbs.- 2 lbs. ground beef
• 2  cups  chopped green peppers
• 2  cups  chopped onions
• 1  cup  chopped celery
• 1⁄3 cup  chopped stuffed green olive
• 8  ounces tomato paste
• 8  oz.can tomato sauce
• 1  cup tomato sauce (Arturo)
• 8  oz.can  sliced mushrooms
• 1  lb  grated cheddar cheese
• 1  teaspoon  italian seasoning
• 1  teaspoon garlic powder

• Homemade Arturo Sauce

• 1⁄4 cup  finely chopped mushroom
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1⁄4 cup tomato sauce
• 1⁄4 cup soy sauce
• 1⁄4 cup cider vinegar
• 1  tablespoon brown sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  large garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1  pinch ginger
• 1  pinch nutmeg

Directions

1. FOR THE HOMEMADE ARTURO SAUCE:
2. Mix all ingredients together and saute` on low until bubbles begin. Yield is about 1 cup good for a recipe calling for 8 oz can.
3. FOR THE CASSEROLE:
4. Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
5. In a large skillet brown ground beef, drain, then put in large pot, add chopped peppers, onions, celery, olives and mushrooms. Then add the seasoning and garlic powder to the pot. Mix those ingredients well. Add sauces and tomato paste then mix again. Cook over medium low heat for about 25 to 30 minutes.
6. In another pot, cook noodles -- when done, add them to the mixture and stir very well. Place mixture in long oblong pan in layers. On each layer, place shredded cheese but leave enough for the top.
7. Place about 4 teaspoons of butter on the top with remaining cheese, and bake at 350°F for about 35 minutes or until the cheese melts and it is a golden brown. Serve and enjoy. Leftovers freeze well.