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