Description
Hearty beef noodle casserole brings comfort to family dinners with rich, savory layers of ground beef, noodles, and creamy sauce. Cheesy goodness and simple ingredients make this classic dish a weeknight winner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 12 ounces (340 grams) egg noodles
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 can (10 ounces/280 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare egg noodles according to package directions, thoroughly drain, and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, then gently sauté onions and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, cooking until completely browned and crumbly. Carefully drain accumulated fat.
- Incorporate tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, allowing it to simmer and develop rich flavors for 5-7 minutes.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine cooked noodles, seasoned beef, tangy sour cream, and creamy mushroom soup until well integrated.
- Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, creating a golden, melty layer.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden-brown crust.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving to help it set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Customize the cheese by mixing different varieties like mozzarella and monterey jack for extra flavor complexity.
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that maintains protein content.
- Enhance nutrition by adding diced vegetables like bell peppers or spinach during the beef cooking stage for extra vitamins and texture.
- Prep ahead by assembling the casserole earlier in the day and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg