Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe
This comforting Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole combines tender ground beef simmered in a savory tomato sauce with creamy sour cream and cottage cheese, all layered with perfectly cooked egg noodles and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Baked to bubbly perfection, this hearty casserole is an easy and satisfying meal ideal for family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Noodles and Dairy
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Beef and Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and sauté the chopped onion until the beef is fully cooked and the onion is translucent, approximately 10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Prepare Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning into the beef mixture. Allow it to simmer for 5 minutes while stirring occasionally. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook Noodles: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles well and set aside.
- Combine Dairy Mixture: In a large bowl, mix together the sour cream and cottage cheese. Add the cooked egg noodles to the bowl, season with salt and pepper, and stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread half of the egg noodle mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce. Repeat layering with the remaining noodles and meat sauce.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Evenly sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the top of the assembled casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is completely melted.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes before serving. This resting time helps the casserole set and makes it easier to portion.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, you can substitute the cottage cheese with ricotta cheese.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free egg noodles to accommodate dietary preferences.
- Feel free to add chopped vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef mixture for extra nutrition.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven until warmed through.
- To reduce sodium, use low-sodium tomato sauce and cheeses.
Keywords: sour cream beef casserole, beef noodle casserole, baked beef casserole, comfort food, easy dinner recipe
