Description
Hearty midwestern comfort comes alive in this sour cream noodle bake, blending creamy textures with savory ground beef and melted cheese. Warm, satisfying layers promise a delightful meal you’ll savor with every comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 15 ounces (425 grams) tomato sauce
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté ground beef and onions, breaking meat into small crumbles until fully cooked and onions are translucent, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Quickly incorporate minced garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in tomato sauce, season with salt and pepper, then reduce heat and let simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring periodically.
- Simultaneously, prepare egg noodles according to package instructions, then drain thoroughly.
- Create a creamy mixture by whisking cottage cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth and well-blended.
- Gently fold cooked noodles into the creamy mixture, ensuring complete and even coating.
- Layer half of the noodle mixture across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Distribute half of the meat sauce over the noodles, then sprinkle with half of the cheese.
- Repeat layering with remaining noodles, sauce, and cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes until heated through and cheese becomes bubbly and slightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
Notes
- Lean Meat Swap: Choose ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option that still delivers incredible flavor and reduces overall fat content.
- Dairy-Free Modification: Replace cottage cheese and sour cream with cashew cream or tofu-based alternatives to accommodate lactose-intolerant or vegan diets.
- Herb Enhancement: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley, basil, or chives on top before serving to add brightness and extra aromatic layers to the dish.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for maximum convenience and time-saving potential.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 43-45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 292 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 415 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg