Description
This Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring tender egg noodles layered with a flavorful ground beef tomato sauce and creamy cheese mixture. Baked to perfection with melted cheddar on top, it’s perfect for a family dinner or potluck.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Dairy
- 12 oz. uncooked egg noodles
- 8 oz. sour cream
- 8 oz. small curd cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Sauce
- 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
- 1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Finishing
- Fresh parsley to garnish
- Olive oil (a splash, for noodles)
Instructions
- Cook the Egg Noodles: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, then toss with a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking up clumps as it cooks. Drain excess fat once cooked through.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until fragrant and softened, about 3 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and drained diced tomatoes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Creamy Pasta Mixture: In a large bowl, combine sour cream, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, and the cooked egg noodles. Mix well to evenly combine.
- Layer the Casserole: Spoon half of the creamy pasta mixture into a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Top with half of the beef sauce mixture and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat these layers once more, finishing with a layer of cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and optionally garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting casserole.
Notes
- Add more heat by including jalapeños or cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
- Add more flavor by mixing in bacon bits to the casserole layers.
- Ensure noodles do not stick together by tossing with olive oil after rinsing.
- Use fresh parsley as a garnish for a fresh, vibrant touch.
- You can substitute cottage cheese with ricotta if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
