Description
This Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender egg noodles coated in a creamy cheese sauce layered with savory ground beef tomato sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese and baked to perfection. Ideal for a family dinner, it combines rich flavors and textures in a satisfying baked casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz. uncooked egg noodles
Beef Sauce:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
- 1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Creamy Cheese Mixture:
- 8 oz. sour cream
- 8 oz. small curd cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
Topping:
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- Fresh parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Rinse in cold water to stop the cooking process and drain thoroughly. Toss noodles with a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Brown the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking up any clumps. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for about 3 minutes until fragrant and onions are translucent, enhancing the flavor of the meat sauce.
- Prepare the meat sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and drained diced tomatoes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Mix creamy cheese sauce with noodles: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, and cooked egg noodles. Mix thoroughly until the noodles are evenly coated with the creamy cheese mixture.
- Assemble the casserole: Spoon half of the creamy pasta mixture into a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Layer with half of the meat sauce and sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat layering with remaining pasta, meat sauce, and cheddar cheese, finishing with an additional layer of cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake the casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled casserole uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting classic beef noodle casserole.
Notes
- Ensure noodles are not overcooked to avoid mushy texture in the casserole.
- Drain excess fat from browned beef to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting results.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set before serving.
