Mamma’s Comfort & Joy Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 pouch of Costco Rotisserie chicken (2 pounds 10 ounces), chopped
• 2 packs (12 ounces each) Mueller’s Hearty Homestyle noodles, cooked
• 2 sticks butter
• 2 cups finely chopped leeks (white part only)
• 2 cups finely chopped celery
• 2 cups finely chopped onion
• 6 tablespoons minced garlic (refrigerated jar or minced fresh)
• 16 ounces baby bella mushrooms, chopped small
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon savory
• 1 tablespoon herbs de Provence
• 1 quart chicken bone broth
• 2 cups white wine (The author uses pinot grigio)
• 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 16 ounces cream cheese
• 8 ounces heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups mayo (The author uses Duke’s)
• 1 cup sour cream

Topping Ingredients:

• 2 cups crushed buttery crackers (Cabaret or Club)
• 2 cups sliced almonds
• 2 cups Swiss cheese

Directions:

1. Chop the chicken and set aside in a very large mixing bowl.
2. Boil noodles, drain, and mix with chicken.
3. In a large saucepan (4 quarts minimum), melt butter.
4. Add leeks and celery and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add onion and garlic, stir and cook covered for about 10 minutes.
6. Add mushrooms, stir, cover, and cook another 5-10 minutes.
7. Remove lid and continue cooking until most of the liquid from vegetables has cooked off.
8. Sprinkle salt, pepper, savory, and herbs over vegetables, stir.
9. Sprinkle flour over vegetable mixture and cook, stirring, about 5 minutes.
10. Add chicken broth, wine, and lemon juice and bring to boil, stirring.
11. Cook for about 5 minutes.
12. Add cream, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream.
13. Whisk and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes.
14. Mix sauce into chicken and noodles. Stir well.
15. Ladle into buttered casserole dishes.
16. Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes, then add topping and bake an additional 15 minutes.

*Casseroles can be covered and refrigerated or frozen before adding topping. If cooking from refrigerated, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake for 45 minutes or until casserole is 165 degrees in the center. Then add topping and bake an additional 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and topping is golden.*