This Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! It’s a hearty, creamy, and incredibly satisfying dish that combines tender egg noodles, savory ground beef in a rich tomato sauce, and a creamy blend of sour cream and cottage cheese, all topped with melted cheddar. I love how this recipe is both easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s perfect for a family dinner, a potluck, or any time you’re craving a warm and comforting casserole.
Why You’ll Love This Beef Noodle Casserole
- Ultimate Comfort Food: This casserole is warm, creamy, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying – pure comfort food!
- Creamy and Savory: The combination of the meat sauce, creamy noodle mixture, and melted cheese is delicious.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake it just before serving.
- Family Favorite: This is a dish that everyone in the family will love.
Ingredients for Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole
Here’s what you’ll need to make this comforting casserole. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Lean ground beef (Meat)
- Yellow onion, chopped (Vegetable)
- Garlic, minced (Aromatic)
- Tomato sauce (Canned Tomato Product)
- Egg noodles (Pasta)
- Sour cream (Dairy)
- Cottage cheese (Dairy)
- Cheddar cheese, grated (Dairy)
Seasoning
- Italian seasoning (Spice Blend)
- Kosher salt (Seasoning)
- Freshly ground black pepper (Spice)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Meat: Use ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
- Add Vegetables: Sauté some mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini along with the onion.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the meat sauce.
- Different Cheese: Use a blend of cheeses, such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or mozzarella.
- Add a Crispy Topping: Sprinkle some breadcrumbs or crushed crackers over the top before baking.
How to Make Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole:
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish
- I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
Cook Beef and Sauce
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, I cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- I add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- I stir in the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning.
- I let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- I season with salt and pepper to taste.
- I remove from heat.
Cook Noodles
- While the sauce simmers, I cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water.
- I drain them and set aside.
Combine Dairy Mixture and Noodles
- In a large mixing bowl, I combine the sour cream and cottage cheese.
- I add the cooked egg noodles.
- I season with salt and pepper.
- I stir until evenly combined.
Layer the Casserole
- I spread half of the egg noodle mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- I top with half of the meat sauce.
- I repeat the layers with the remaining egg noodles and meat sauce.
Add Cheese and Bake
- I sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- I bake in the preheated oven until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese has melted, about 30 minutes.
Cool and Serve
- Cool
- Serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Noodle Casserole
Here are my secrets for making this casserole truly exceptional:
- Cook Noodles Al Dente: Cook the egg noodles just until al dente, as they will continue to cook in the oven.
- Use Full-Fat Dairy: Full-fat sour cream and cottage cheese will result in a creamier casserole.
- Freshly Grated Cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts better and has a more intense flavor than pre-shredded cheese.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the meat sauce and the noodle mixture and adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.
- Let it Rest: Letting the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving allows the layers to set slightly, making it easier to serve.
How to Serve
This Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions:
- Side Salad: A simple green salad or a Caesar salad would complement the richness of the casserole.
- Garlic Bread: Serve with a side of warm, crusty garlic bread.
- Steamed Vegetables: Add some steamed green beans or broccoli for extra nutrients.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can assemble the casserole (without baking) ahead of time and store it, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed when ready to serve. Leftover casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
FAQs about Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole
- Can I use a different type of noodle?
- Yes, you can use any type of short pasta, such as penne, rotini, or fusilli.
- Can I make this without the cottage cheese?
- Yes, you can substitute the cottage cheese with more sour cream or ricotta cheese.
- Can I freeze this casserole?
- Yes
Enjoy this creamy, cheesy, and incredibly comforting Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole! It’s a perfect meal for any night of the week.
Print
Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Main Course, Casserole, Pasta
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole is a classic comfort food dish. Layers of tender egg noodles mixed with sour cream and cottage cheese alternate with a savory ground beef and tomato sauce, all topped with melted cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 ounces egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese (small or large curd)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or medium)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the beef is browned and cooked through (about 10 minutes) and the onion is softened. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add Garlic and Sauce Ingredients: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute more, until fragrant. Stir in the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer Meat Sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season the meat sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook Noodles: While the meat sauce simmers, cook the egg noodles according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the noodles well.
- Combine Dairy Mixture and Noodles: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream and cottage cheese. Add the drained, cooked egg noodles to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently until the noodles are evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Layer Casserole:
- Spread half of the egg noodle mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Top with half of the meat sauce.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining egg noodle mixture and the remaining meat sauce.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer of meat sauce.
- Bake: Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly, making it easier to serve.
Notes
- Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef (like 85/15 or 90/10) to minimize grease. You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage.
- Noodles: Egg noodles are traditional, but other pasta shapes like rotini or penne can work. Cook until al dente.
- Cottage Cheese: Both small and large curd cottage cheese work well. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend the cottage cheese before mixing it with the sour cream.
- Cheese: Sharp or medium cheddar is recommended, but feel free to use Monterey Jack, Colby, or a blend. Freshly shredded cheese melts best.
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.