Description
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with savory flavors, this Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! With tender egg noodles, rich ground beef, a tangy sour cream sauce, and a golden cheesy topping, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep. Easy to make, budget-friendly, and endlessly customizable, it’s a classic casserole that never goes out of style!
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces egg noodles, cooked al dente
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted (for greasing the dish)
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter or nonstick spray.
2. Cook the Beef Mixture
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for another 2 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Let simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
3. Prepare the Creamy Noodle Layer
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream and cottage cheese.
- Add the cooked egg noodles and stir to coat evenly.
- Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, if desired.
4. Assemble the Casserole
- Spread half of the noodle mixture into the greased baking dish.
- Spoon half of the beef mixture over the noodles.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles and beef mixture.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
5. Bake to Perfection
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make It Lighter: Use lean ground turkey, reduced-fat sour cream, or Greek yogurt.
- Make It Spicier: Add crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the beef for lentils or plant-based crumbles.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, or microwave in 30-second intervals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food