Vegan "hamburger helper" (with gluten free option)

As a child I loved noodle casseroles.  With a Scandinavian Mom and it being the 60's, that was not a problem.  But she battled cancer most of my childhood, so sometimes even my SuperMom didn't want to cook dinner.  So in the early 70's Mom found  Hamburger Helper. We didn't have it often, but it was a treat for my brother and me when we did.

After many years away from it, I tried a box of my favorite flavor, the beef noodle.  It just did NOT taste the same.  It also had a lot of ingredients I couldn't pronounce as well as corn syrup, artificial colors, soy and MSG.  No Thanks.  So I haven't had it in over 10 years, but wanted to make a veggie version for some children in the family.

This was not particularly photogenic but it was very tasty, kids love it, and it makes four-six  entree-sized servings. It's an easy to put together meal on a work night, or when you have the grandkids visiting and the dry seasonings can be mixed in batches and stored in a sandwich bag to speed things up even more.

Vegan version of Hamburger Helper Beef Noodle 

1 pound veggie beef crumbles or TVP of your choice
1 Tablespoon dried minced onion or 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1 and 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce. (gluten-free Worcestershire sauce)

Recipe for that here:  https://abbysmomgetsfit.blogspot.com/2016/03/gluten-free-herbed-pilaf-main-dish.html

Combine in a cereal bowl:
1 Tablespoon:
Corn Starch

1 teaspoon each:
Parsley
Paprika
Parsley
Garlic Powder
Sugar

Have ready

2 teaspoons tomato paste

1 and 1/2 cups water, brought to a boil
3 Edward and Sons Non-Beef Bullion cutes
1 and 1/2 cups almond mil

2 and 1/3 cup wide egg noodles (gluten-free noodles). Note:  I added extra noodles based on a small person's request :-) using less will give you a saucier dish.

In a large fry pan with a cover gently saute your protein with minced onion (celery) in a Tablespoon or two of water.  Add tomato paste and combine and let sit, reducing heat to low for a few minutes to warm it through.

Increase heat to medium and add 1 and 1/2 cups hot water in which you've already dissolved the bullion cubes.

Add almond milk to the bowl with dried seasonings/cornstarch/sugar.  When at a gentle simmer add noodles, cover and cook for the time listed on the noodle package directions.

Add salt and pepper (to taste and optional)

Served with corn and some carrot and celery sticks.