Description
This comforting Sour Cream Noodle Bake combines tender egg noodles with savory ground beef and a creamy sour cream and cottage cheese mixture. Layered with melted cheddar cheese and seasoned with Italian herbs, it’s an easy-to-make casserole perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces egg noodles
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dairy
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided: ½ cup for layering, remaining for topping)
Other
- Cooking spray or oil for greasing baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook Noodles: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain them well and set aside.
- Brown Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with the chopped onion and minced garlic until the beef is fully browned and the onions are tender. Drain any excess fat for a leaner dish.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Combine Creamy Mixture: In a large bowl, mix the sour cream and cottage cheese. Add the drained noodles to this mixture and stir until the noodles are evenly coated.
- Assemble First Layer: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil. Layer half of the noodle mixture evenly at the bottom. Spread half of the beef mixture on top and sprinkle ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over this layer.
- Assemble Second Layer: Repeat the layering with the remaining noodles and beef mixture. Finish by sprinkling the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on the top layer.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. This allows the casserole to heat through and flavors to blend.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 5 minutes or until the cheddar cheese on top is melted and bubbly, creating a delicious golden crust.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes after baking to set slightly, making it easier to serve and enjoy.
Notes
- For a healthier option, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey.
- You can swap cottage cheese for ricotta cheese for a different creamy texture.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a slight kick.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Adding chopped fresh parsley or basil on top before serving adds freshness and color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/6th of the casserole)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: sour cream noodle bake, casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy noodle bake, easy family dinner
