Homestyle Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe: Cozy Comfort Magic

Comfort meets creativity in this delightful sour cream noodle bake that promises to revolutionize weeknight dinners.

Forget bland casseroles and predictable pasta dishes.

My kitchen experiments led me to craft something unexpectedly delicious and crowd-pleasing.

Layers of tender noodles, creamy sauce, and savory meat create a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of richness and zest that will make you swoon.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish transforms simple ingredients into a memorable meal.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for those nights when only pure deliciousness will do.

What Makes Sour Cream Noodle Bake Satisfying

• This casserole delivers comforting flavors that bring everyone together around the dinner table.
• Total preparation and cooking time stays under an hour, making it perfect for busy families seeking a delicious meal without extensive effort.
• Requires simple, affordable ingredients like ground beef, cottage cheese, and wide egg noodles that won't break the bank while satisfying hungry appetites.
• Kids and adults will love the hearty, cheesy combination that feels like a warm hug on a plate, transforming mealtime into a joyful experience.

Ingredients for Sour Cream Noodle Bake

• Ground Beef: Rich protein base that adds hearty flavor to the casserole, best with 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for moisture.
• Wide Egg Noodles: Classic pasta that provides satisfying texture and absorbs the creamy sauce well, choose medium-width for best results.

• Sour Cream: Creamy element that creates tangy richness and helps bind the dish together, full-fat version recommended for best taste.
• Cottage Cheese: Adds extra creaminess and protein, small curd type works best for smooth consistency.
• Cream Cheese: Contributes luxurious smoothness and depth of flavor, let soften at room temperature for easier mixing.

• Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor that brightens the entire dish, use both white and green parts.
• Salt: Essential for bringing out the flavors of all ingredients, kosher salt preferred for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth, freshly ground provides more intense flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Provides background savory note without raw garlic chunks, ensures consistent seasoning.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melty topping that creates golden, crispy surface, sharp cheddar offers more intense flavor.

Directions for Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Step 1: Brown The Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it into small crumbles while cooking. Continue cooking until the meat turns completely brown and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.

Step 2: Season The Meat

• Tomato sauce
• Onion
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir all ingredients together and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to blend.

Step 3: Prepare Creamy Sauce

• Sour cream
• Cottage cheese
• Green onions

Gently mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 4: Layer The Casserole

In your greased baking dish, create layers:

First layer: Cooked egg noodles

Second layer: Seasoned meat mixture

Third layer: Creamy sauce mixture

Top with shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and edges are bubbly golden brown.

Step 6: Rest And Serve

Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier. Cut into generous portions and enjoy your comforting meal.

Helpful Tips for Sour Cream Noodle Bake Success

• Choose Quality Ground Beef: Select lean ground beef for a healthier dish with less grease and better texture.
• Control Seasoning Intensity: Adjust salt and pepper to taste, remembering the cheese and sour cream already add rich flavor.
• Layer Strategically: Create even layers of noodles, meat, and cheese to ensure every bite is perfectly balanced.
• Prevent Dryness: Cover the baking dish with foil for the first 25 minutes to keep the casserole moist and prevent burning.
• Customize Cheese Options: Swap cheddar for monterey jack or add a sprinkle of parmesan for extra depth of flavor.

Best Way to Store Sour Cream Noodle Bake

• Transfer leftover noodle bake to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place refrigerated or thawed casserole in a 350F oven, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Cut desired portion, place on a microwave-safe plate, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Top Pairings for Sour Cream Noodle Bake

• Pair this hearty noodle bake with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the rich ground beef and enhance the savory notes.
• Serve a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette alongside the dish to cut through the creamy, rich texture and provide a refreshing counterpoint.
• Choose a sparkling lemonade or citrus-infused iced tea to lighten the meal's heaviness and refresh the palate between bites.
• Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or chives to add brightness and a subtle herbal layer that lifts the overall flavor profile of the noodle bake.

Switch Things Up in Sour Cream Noodle Bake

• Gluten-Free Noodle Swap: Replace traditional egg noodles with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles to accommodate gluten-sensitive diets.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt or cashew cream for a lactose-free version that maintains creamy texture.
• Vegetarian Protein Boost: Replace ground beef with crumbled plant-based meat or lentils to create a meatless, protein-rich casserole.
• Low-Carb Option: Use spiralized vegetables like butternut squash noodles or cauliflower rice instead of traditional pasta for a lower-carbohydrate meal.

Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Midwest comfort shines through this sour cream noodle bake, blending hearty ground beef and creamy pasta into a soul-warming casserole. Cheesy layers and rich flavors invite you to savor a classic family-style dinner that feels like a warm kitchen hug.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
• 12 ounces (340 g) egg noodles

Dairy and Cheese Components:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a moderate temperature, ensuring an even heat distribution for optimal baking.
2. Prepare a rectangular baking vessel by applying a thin, uniform coating of oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small, uniform crumbles as it cooks.
4. Once the meat is thoroughly cooked and no longer pink, drain any excess fat to reduce greasiness.
5. Season the beef with salt, pepper, and tomato sauce, stirring to create a rich and flavorful meat mixture.
6. Cook the egg noodles in boiling salted water until they reach a tender yet firm texture, being careful not to overcook.
7. Drain the noodles completely and return them to the cooking pot.
8. Gently fold in sour cream and cottage cheese, ensuring the noodles are evenly and smoothly coated.
9. Transfer the creamy noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it in an even layer.
10. Top the noodle base with the seasoned ground beef, distributing it uniformly across the surface.
11. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the meat layer, creating a generous and appetizing coverage.
12. Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese melts and turns a golden, bubbly brown.
13. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes to allow the layers to set before serving.

Notes

• Customize protein choices by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives for a lighter version.
• Drain excess fat thoroughly after browning meat to prevent a greasy dish and ensure a crisp, clean flavor profile.
• Layer ingredients evenly to create consistent texture and prevent dry or overly saturated sections in the casserole.
• Use full-fat sour cream for richer taste, but low-fat options work well for healthier dietary needs without sacrificing overall creaminess.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 560 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg