Description
This comforting Sour Cream Noodle Bake combines tender egg noodles with a savory ground beef and tomato sauce, layered with a creamy mixture of sour cream and cottage cheese, then topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It’s a hearty casserole perfect for family dinners, offering a rich blend of flavors and textures baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup diced yellow onion (about ½ medium onion)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Noodles
- 12 ounces egg noodles
Creamy Mixture
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 ¼ cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Meat and Onion: In a large skillet, cook 1 pound lean ground beef and ½ cup diced yellow onion over medium-high heat until the beef is browned and onions are softened, about 8-10 minutes. Add 2 teaspoons minced garlic and sauté for another minute to release the garlic aroma.
- Add Tomato Sauce: Stir in the 15-ounce can of tomato sauce along with salt and pepper to taste. Cook the mixture for an additional 5 minutes, stirring constantly to blend flavors. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook Noodles: Prepare 12 ounces of egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Prepare Creamy Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup sour cream, 1 ¼ cup cottage cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
- Combine Noodles and Cream: Mix the cooked egg noodles into the sour cream and cottage cheese mixture until evenly coated.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread half of the noodle and cream mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce. Repeat with remaining noodles and meat sauce, creating two layers.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to set. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving to add a fresh, mild onion flavor.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat but keep the dish hearty.
- For extra creaminess, you can substitute full-fat cottage cheese and sour cream.
- Egg noodles can be replaced with other pasta shapes like penne or rotini if preferred.
- Green onions add a fresh garnish, but you can omit or substitute with chopped parsley if desired.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
