Description
This comforting Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a creamy, cheesy casserole combining tender egg noodles, savory ground beef simmered in tomato sauce, and a rich mixture of sour cream and cottage cheese. Baked to bubbly perfection and topped with melted cheddar, this hearty dish comes together quickly for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 (8-oz) package wide egg noodles
Meat Sauce
- 1¼ lb lean ground beef
- â…› tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
- salt, to taste
Creamy Mixture
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
Topping
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the egg noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the lean ground beef until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess grease from the pan. Stir in ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt to taste, and the tomato sauce. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Mix Creamy Noodle Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked egg noodles with cottage cheese and sour cream. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Assemble Casserole: Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread the creamy noodle mixture evenly in the bottom of the dish. Spoon the meat sauce over the noodles in an even layer. Finally, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly around the edges. Remove from oven and let it rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and grease in the casserole.
- For a tangier flavor, you can substitute part of the sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- Feel free to add sautéed onions or bell peppers to the meat sauce for extra flavor and vegetables.
- Leftovers refrigerate well and taste great warmed up the next day.
