Description
Hearty beef noodle casserole delivers comfort straight from midwestern kitchens with rich, creamy layers of ground beef and tender pasta. Cheesy, satisfying meal welcomes families around dinner tables with warm, nostalgic flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 12 ounces (340 grams) egg noodles
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 can (10 ounces or 283 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare egg noodles according to package directions, thoroughly draining and setting aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, sautéing onions and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, browning the meat while breaking it into small crumbles and eliminating excess grease.
- Enhance the meat mixture with tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, allowing the flavors to meld during a 5-minute simmer.
- Create a harmonious blend by combining cooked noodles, creamy sour cream, and the seasoned beef mixture in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Transfer the combined ingredients to a lightly greased casserole dish, ensuring even distribution.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole, covering the surface completely.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Allow the casserole to rest briefly, enabling the ingredients to settle before serving, which helps maintain its structural integrity.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content without sacrificing flavor and texture.
- Experiment with whole wheat or gluten-free noodles for a healthier alternative that accommodates dietary restrictions.
- Consider adding extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to boost nutritional value and create more complex flavor profiles.
- For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils while maintaining the same seasoning and cooking techniques.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 445 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg