Description
Hearty ground beef casserole delivers comfort on a plate with rich, cheesy layers that meld perfectly. Home cooks will savor this classic midwestern dish packed with simple, satisfying ingredients that invite you to the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Layer:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
- 2 cans (15 ounces or 425 grams each) tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cream Layer:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) cream cheese
- 8 ounces (227 grams) sour cream
Noodle and Cheese Layer:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) egg noodles
- 1.5 cups (170 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, ensuring a perfectly balanced cooking environment for the upcoming casserole creation.
- In a large skillet, thoroughly brown the ground beef, carefully draining excess fat. Quickly incorporate minced garlic and Italian seasoning, allowing flavors to meld for about 30 seconds.
- Enhance the meat mixture by stirring in tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper. Allow the combination to simmer and develop robust flavors for 3-5 minutes.
- Whisk cream cheese and sour cream together in a separate bowl until smooth and well-integrated. Simultaneously, prepare egg noodles, cooking them just until they reach al dente tenderness.
- Construct the casserole in layers: spread a base of noodles in the baking dish, followed by an even layer of cream mixture, then a generous coating of beef sauce. Repeat the layering process, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top layer, creating a golden, appetizing surface.
- Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts completely and the edges become gloriously bubbly and slightly crisp.
Notes
- Customize the Meat: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that’s equally delicious and satisfying.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free egg noodles or replace with zucchini noodles to make this casserole friendly for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Veggie Boost: Sneak in extra nutrition by adding chopped spinach, diced bell peppers, or mushrooms to the beef mixture for more texture and flavor complexity.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for an effortless meal prep strategy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg