Description
This hearty Ground Beef Casserole combines lean ground beef, tender egg noodles, and a creamy cheese blend for an easy, crowd-pleasing American main course. Layers of seasoned beef simmered in tomato sauce, paired with a mix of sour cream and cottage cheese, are baked until bubbly and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for family dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
Dairy Mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
Pasta and Topping
- 8 oz egg noodles, cooked and drained
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Garnish (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook the Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Season the Beef: Stir into the cooked beef the salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce. Let this mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the Cheese Mix: In a separate bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese thoroughly until well blended.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the cooked egg noodles evenly on the bottom, spread half of the sour cream and cottage cheese mixture over the noodles, then top with half of the beef mixture. Repeat these layers with the remaining noodles, dairy mix, and beef mixture.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the assembled casserole. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, ensuring a golden crust forms on top.
- Cool and Garnish: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley to add a fresh herbaceous touch.
Notes
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream or ricotta cheese for the cottage cheese for a different texture and flavor.
- Add sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms when cooking the beef for extra vegetables and nutritional value.
- For a spicier version, include red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- If you prefer, use whole-wheat egg noodles to add fiber and a nuttier taste.
