Description

This comforting Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a hearty casserole combining tender egg noodles, seasoned ground beef, creamy sour cream, cottage cheese, and melted cheddar cheese. Baked to golden perfection, it’s an easy and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or make-ahead meals.

Ingredients

Meat Sauce

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Noodle Mixture

8 ounces egg noodles
1 cup sour cream
1 1/4 cups small curd cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Optional Garnish

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

Prepare the Meat Sauce: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the tomato sauce, salt, and black pepper, then simmer the sauce for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Cook the Noodles: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the noodles well and set aside.
Mix the Cheese and Noodles: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cottage cheese, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well, then fold in the cooked noodles until evenly coated.
Assemble the Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the noodle and cheese mixture evenly on the bottom. Top with half of the meat sauce. Repeat with the remaining noodles and meat sauce layers. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese uniformly over the top layer.
Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until it is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden and slightly browned.
Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired to add a fresh herbal note and a pop of color.

Notes

You can substitute ricotta cheese in place of cottage cheese if you prefer a smoother, creamier texture.
This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake, making it convenient for busy days.
It freezes well; just thaw completely before baking to ensure even heating throughout.