There is something incredibly comforting about a warm, cheesy pasta casserole that feels like a big, cozy hug on a plate. The Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe is exactly that kind of dish — a delicious layering of creamy sour cream and cottage cheese, tender egg noodles, robust marinara meat sauce, and melty cheese that brings it all together in pure harmony. This recipe is an all-time favorite because it’s straightforward to make, uses simple ingredients that pack a punch, and serves up six generous portions perfect for family dinners or friendly gatherings. Trust me, once you try it, this Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe will become a go-to comfort meal you’ll want to share with everyone you love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
As simple as this recipe is, each ingredient plays an essential role in building the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and colors that make this dish so irresistible. From the wide egg noodles that provide sturdy, satisfying bites to the sharpness of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses that melt beautifully on top, every element has a delicious purpose.
- 8 ounces wide egg noodles: These capture the creamy sauce and meat mixture perfectly, giving you hearty pasta layers.
- 1 pound lean ground beef: Adds rich, meaty flavor and a satisfying protein component to the bake.
- ½ cup finely chopped sweet yellow onion: Brings a subtle sweetness and a tender bite that complements the ground beef.
- ½ tablespoon minced garlic: Elevates the dish with a savory aroma and slight zing.
- 24 ounce jar of Marinara Sauce (I used RAO’s brand): A robust tomato base that ties all the savory ingredients together.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (divided): Seasons each layer carefully to enhance flavor without overpowering.
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper (divided): Adds a bright, peppery heat that wakes up the dish.
- 1¼ cups 4% small curd cottage cheese: Provides a creamy, slightly tangy texture that balances the marinara’s acidity.
- ½ cup sour cream: Adds richness and smoothness, making every bite luscious and moist.
- â…“ cup thinly sliced green onions: Offers a fresh, mild onion crunch and pretty color speckles.
- 3 cups shredded cheese: A blend of 1 ½ cups mild cheddar cheese and 1 ½ cups Monterey Jack cheese to deliver gorgeous melt and gooey texture.
How to Make Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F and preparing a 9×13 baking dish with a light coating of nonstick spray. This simple action ensures your bake will come out perfectly without sticking, setting the stage for an easy, mess-free dinner.
Step 2: Cook the Egg Noodles
Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil and cook the wide egg noodles until al dente, meaning tender but still with a bit of bite. Draining and rinsing with cold water stops the cooking and prevents the noodles from becoming mushy, which is crucial for maintaining great texture in the bake.
Step 3: Brown the Beef and Onion
While the noodles cook, warm a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cooking until the beef loses its pink color and the onions soften builds a deeply flavorful base. Remember to drain any excess oil that pools in the pan to keep the bake from becoming greasy.
Step 4: Simmer the Meat Sauce
Return the beef mixture to medium heat, then stir in the marinara sauce along with half of the salt and black pepper. Letting this gently simmer brings all the flavors together beautifully, infusing the beef with the rich tomato sauce before removing it from the heat.
Step 5: Mix the Creamy Noodle Base
In a separate bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, and the remaining salt and pepper. Then fold in the cooked noodles, making sure every strand is thoroughly coated with the creamy mixture. This step adds luscious moisture and creaminess that makes this bake stand out.
Step 6: Layer the Bake
Start assembling by spreading half of the sour cream and noodle mixture in the baking dish. Follow this with half of the savory meat sauce, and then sprinkle 2 cups of the shredded cheese over the top. Repeat the layering once more with the remaining noodles, meat sauce, and finish with the last cup of shredded cheese crowning the dish.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake the assembled dish uncovered for 30 minutes until the cheese has beautifully melted and golden bubbles appear along the edges. This final cooking melds all the layers into one heavenly casserole ready to warm your soul.
How to Serve Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe
Garnishes
A little fresh green onion sprinkled on top adds a splash of color and an extra pop of mild onion flavor, brightening each plate. You could also consider a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for a pretty herbaceous touch that complements the richness.
Side Dishes
This bake is quite hearty on its own, but a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette pairs beautifully to contrast the creamy and cheesy layers. Roasted or steamed seasonal vegetables also make excellent sides to round out the meal with added freshness and texture.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to make this dish feel a bit special for guests, serve it in individual ramekins or small cast-iron skillets, each bubbling and golden right out of the oven. Another fun idea is to turn leftovers into loaded noodle bake cups, scooping the mixture into muffin tins and baking until crispy on top for easy, handheld servings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to marry overnight, making the next-day meal just as delightful.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully! After baking, allow it to cool completely, then cover tightly and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain its creamy texture and delicious taste.
Reheating
To reheat, place individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in a 350°F oven until heated through and the cheese is bubbly again. Adding a splash of milk or sour cream can help revive creaminess during reheating.
FAQs
Can I use different types of noodles?
Absolutely! While wide egg noodles work best for their sturdy texture and ability to hold sauce, you can substitute with other pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni. Just ensure they’re cooked al dente to keep the bake from getting mushy.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! You can swap the ground beef for plant-based meat substitutes or add sautéed mushrooms and extra vegetables for a hearty vegetarian version. Just adjust seasoning to taste.
Can I make the Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe ahead of time?
Definitely. You can prepare the entire dish through assembly, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to a day before baking. This helps flavors blend beautifully and makes weeknight cooking a breeze.
What kind of cheese works best for this bake?
The mild cheddar and Monterey Jack combination melts wonderfully and balances sharpness with creaminess. However, feel free to experiment with mozzarella, gouda, or even pepper jack for a little extra kick.
Does the dish reheat well?
Yes, it reheats very well and often tastes even better the next day as the flavors fully develop. Gently reheat to avoid drying out, and you’ll enjoy that same creamy, comforting vibe again.
Final Thoughts
If you want a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s rich with creamy, cheesy layers and robust tomato-beef goodness, the Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe is your new best friend. It’s easy to prepare, deeply satisfying, and perfect for any night you crave a homemade classic with a little extra flair. Give it a try — I promise you’ll fall in love with every delicious, gooey bite.
Print
Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This comforting Sour Cream Noodle Bake combines tender egg noodles with a savory ground beef and marinara sauce mixture, layered with creamy cottage cheese and sour cream, then topped with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Baked until bubbly and golden, this casserole is perfect for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces wide egg noodles
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup finely chopped sweet yellow onion
- ½ tablespoon minced garlic
- 24 ounce jar of Marinara Sauce (RAO’s brand suggested)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (divided in half)
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper (divided in half)
Sour Cream Mixture
- 1¼ cup 4% small curd cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- â…“ cup thinly sliced green onions
Cheese Topping
- 3 cups shredded cheese (1½ cups shredded mild cheddar cheese, 1½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prepare for baking.
- Cook Noodles: Bring water to a low boil in a 5 to 6 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the egg noodles and cook until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
- Cook Ground Beef Mixture: While noodles cook, heat a 10 to 12 inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Stir frequently until the beef is no longer pink.
- Drain Fat: Drain any excess oil from the beef mixture to reduce greasiness.
- Simmer Sauce: Return beef mixture to skillet, reduce heat to medium, then stir in marinara sauce, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Cook just until the mixture simmers, then remove from heat.
- Prepare Sour Cream Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, and the remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper. Stir to blend completely.
- Combine Noodles: Add cooked and cooled egg noodles to the sour cream mixture. Stir gently until noodles are evenly coated.
- Layer in Baking Dish: Spread half of the sour cream and noodles mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add Ground Beef Layer: Spoon half of the ground beef mixture evenly over the sour cream noodle layer.
- Cheese Layer: Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheese evenly over the ground beef layer.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat with the remaining sour cream noodle mixture, then the remaining ground beef mixture, and finally top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot.
Notes
- Using lean ground beef helps reduce excess grease in the casserole.
- Rinsing noodles after cooking stops them from overcooking and prevents mushiness.
- You can substitute the marinara sauce with your preferred tomato-based pasta sauce.
- For an extra crispy cheese topping, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
