Description
Classic sour cream noodle bake promises comfort with hearty ground beef and creamy cheese layers. Midwestern home cooking delivers simple, satisfying flavors you’ll savor until the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 8 ounces (227 grams) shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 1 1/2 cups (340 grams) small curd cottage cheese
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 small sweet onion, small diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Sauces and Noodles:
- 15 ounces (425 grams) tomato sauce
- 12 ounces (340 grams) egg noodles
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef with onions, crumbling meat until no pink remains and onions soften, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in tomato sauce, season with salt and pepper, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring periodically.
- Simultaneously, prepare egg noodles according to package instructions, then drain thoroughly.
- Blend cottage cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large mixing bowl until smooth and uniform.
- Gently fold cooked noodles into the cheese mixture, ensuring complete coating.
- Create first layer by spreading half the noodle mixture evenly across prepared baking dish.
- Distribute half the meat sauce over noodle layer.
- Sprinkle first portion of cheese on top of sauce.
- Repeat layering process with remaining noodles, sauce, and cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes until heated through and cheese melts completely, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Maximize Flavor by letting the sauce simmer longer, which intensifies the tomato and beef taste and helps develop deeper, richer flavors.
- Customize Protein by substituting ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for different dietary preferences or healthier options.
- Cheese Variations can elevate the dish by mixing different cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, or ricotta to create unique flavor profiles and textures.
- Make Ahead by preparing the entire casserole in advance, covering, and refrigerating, then baking when ready to serve for a convenient meal prep strategy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg