Description
This Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish featuring tender egg noodles layered with savory ground beef in a tomato sauce, creamy sour cream, cottage cheese, and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole combines rich flavors and creamy textures baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Noodles and Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Cook Noodles: Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain them thoroughly to prevent excess water.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the sour cream and cottage cheese. Stir in the cooked noodles and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Assemble Layers: Spread half of the noodle and cheese mixture evenly in the greased baking dish. Top it with half of the meat sauce. Repeat with the remaining noodle mixture and meat sauce.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the layered casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, until bubbling and the cheddar is melted and slightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for about 10 minutes before serving to let it set for easier slicing and better flavor melding.
Notes
- You can substitute cottage cheese with ricotta for a smoother texture.
- Feel free to add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra vegetables.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
