Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe
Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and hearty comfort food dish featuring layers of tender egg noodles, seasoned ground beef in a savory tomato sauce, and a rich sour cream and cottage cheese mixture. Baked to perfection with a melted cheddar cheese topping, this casserole is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal or feeding a crowd.
- Author: lea
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 oz egg noodles
Dairy Mixture
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
Seasoning
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prepare for assembling the casserole.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef along with the chopped yellow onion until beef is fully cooked and onions are softened, about 10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma.
- Prepare Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning to the beef mixture. Bring it to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook Noodles: While the sauce simmers, cook the egg noodles in a large pot of salted boiling water following the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Combine Dairy Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the sour cream and cottage cheese. Add the cooked egg noodles and season with salt and pepper. Stir gently until everything is well incorporated.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread half of the egg noodle mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the meat sauce over the noodles. Repeat the layers by adding the remaining egg noodle mixture, then the remaining meat sauce on top.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- To store leftovers, refrigerate the casserole in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days or freeze portions for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheat covered in the oven at 350°F until warmed through; from frozen, bake covered with foil for about 45 minutes and uncover for the last 10 minutes.
- Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or sausage for beef for variation.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free noodles according to preference.
- Try using Greek yogurt or cream cheese instead of sour cream for a different creamy texture.
- Add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for extra nutrition and flavor.
Keywords: Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole, beef casserole, baked casserole, comfort food, cheesy beef pasta, easy weeknight dinner, creamy casserole