Description
Hearty beef noodle casserole brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, combining savory ground beef with creamy cheese and tender egg noodles. Familiar flavors meld together, creating a satisfying meal that warms hearts and fills hungry bellies with pure home-style deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (453 grams) ground beef
- 12 ounces (340 grams) egg noodles
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 can (10 ounces / 284 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a preheated oven at 350°F for optimal cooking temperature.
- Cook noodles according to package instructions, ensuring they’re al dente, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame, introducing finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate ground beef into the skillet, breaking apart and browning thoroughly, then carefully eliminate excess rendered fat.
- Enrich the meat mixture with tangy tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, aromatic Italian seasoning, and carefully balanced salt and pepper, allowing flavors to meld during a gentle 5-minute simmer.
- Create a creamy noodle base by blending cooked egg noodles with rich sour cream and half of the sharp cheddar cheese in a generous mixing bowl.
- Transfer the luxurious noodle blend into a generously greased casserole dish, strategically layering the robust beef mixture atop the noodles.
- Scatter remaining cheddar cheese across the surface, ensuring complete coverage for maximum melted cheesy goodness.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, baking for 25-30 minutes until edges bubble enthusiastically and cheese transforms into a golden, molten blanket.
- Remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch, and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by using fresh herbs like basil or oregano instead of dried Italian seasoning for a more vibrant taste profile.
- Reduce fat content by choosing lean ground beef or substituting with ground turkey for a lighter protein option.
- Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free egg noodles or replacing noodles with zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative.
- Create a vegetarian version by swapping ground beef with plant-based meat crumbles or lentils for added protein and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg