Description
A cozy and creamy beef noodle casserole that combines ground beef, egg noodles, and a rich sauce of sour cream and cottage cheese, perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Meat and Base Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef (80 to 85% lean) (Choose for the best flavor.)
- 12 oz Wide egg noodles (Cook just shy of al dente.)
- 1 medium Onion, diced (Flavor base for the casserole.)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced (Adds flavor.)
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 can Crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce (Adds brightness and balances the creaminess.)
- 1 cup Sour cream, full fat (For the best body.)
- 1 cup Cottage cheese (Melts into the sauce and adds tang.)
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese (For topping.)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (Threads all the flavors nicely.)
- 1 tbsp Sugar (To balance the tomato sauce.)
Seasonings
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (Simple and effective.)
- 1 tsp Paprika (Adds depth of flavor.)
- to taste Salt and pepper (To season the beef and sauce.)
- 1 tbsp Olive oil or butter (For browning the beef.)
Garnish
- to taste Fresh parsley or chives (Optional for garnish.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the egg noodles in salted water until barely tender, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, warm olive oil or butter and brown the ground beef with the diced onion. Break up the beef into small crumbles.
- When the beef is almost cooked through, add the minced garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika.
Build the Sauce and Bake
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of sugar. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
- In a bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese with a pinch of salt and Italian seasoning, then toss the noodles with half of this creamy mixture.
- Layer all ingredients in a greased baking dish: spread a layer of beef sauce, add half the noodles, spoon more beef sauce, and repeat. Top with shredded cheese.
- Bake at 350°F for about 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For the perfect creamy sauce, equal parts sour cream and cottage cheese works best. You may add a splash of tomato sauce to help blend the dairy mix. Optional flavor twists include: adding spicy elements, extra veggies, or more cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American