Creamy Ground Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles

Wash and dry 8 oz white button mushrooms. Peel and roughly chop 1 medium yellow onion. Place both mushrooms and onion into a food processor and pulse until finely minced and pureed to 'hide' them for picky eaters.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz uncooked egg noodles and cook according to package directions (about 7 to 9 minutes) until al dente. Drain, toss with 1 tbsp unsalted butter to prevent sticking, and set aside.

Heat a large Dutch oven or deep cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 lb raw ground beef. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until completely browned and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer exactly half of the cooked ground beef crumbles (about 1.5 lb cooked weight) to a heatproof container. Let it cool completely, then cover and refrigerate to reserve for Day 3's macaroni skillet.

To the Dutch oven with the remaining 1.5 lb of cooked beef and its rendered fat, add 2 tbsp unsalted butter and the pureed mushroom and onion mixture. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until the moisture from the mushrooms evaporates and the onions are soft.

Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and 1 tsp onion powder over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir constantly for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.

Slowly pour in 2 cups beef broth, stirring continuously to scrape up any savory browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes until the gravy thickens.

Reduce the heat to low. Stir in 1 tbsp Dijon mustard and 1 cup sour cream. Warm through for 2 minutes, ensuring the sauce does not boil so the sour cream doesn't curdle. Fold in the cooked egg noodles to coat them completely in the creamy sauce.

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 2 cups frozen sweet peas with 2 tbsp water. Cover and microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes until bright green and tender. Drain and season with a pinch of salt.

Divide the creamy beef stroganoff and noodles among 4 plates. Serve the bright green peas on the side. Ensure the reserved 1.5 lb of cooked ground beef is labeled and safely stored in the refrigerator for tomorrow's meal.