Description
This Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a comforting and hearty casserole that combines tender egg noodles with a savory ground beef marinara sauce, creamy sour cream and cottage cheese mixture, and a generous layer of melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Perfect as a family dinner, this baked dish delivers rich flavors and a satisfying texture in about 50 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces wide egg noodles
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup finely chopped sweet yellow onion
- ½ tablespoon minced garlic
- 24 ounce jar of Marinara Sauce (RAO’s brand recommended)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (divided)
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper (divided)
Creamy Mixture
- 1¼ cup 4% small curd cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced green onions
Cheese Topping
- 3 cups shredded cheese (1½ cup shredded mild cheddar cheese, 1½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Egg Noodles: Bring water to a gentle boil in a 5 to 6 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the egg noodles and cook them al dente according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse the noodles with cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside.
- Cook Ground Beef Mixture: While the noodles cook, heat a 10 to 12 inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, chopped sweet yellow onion, and minced garlic. Stir often until the ground beef is fully cooked and no longer pink.
- Drain Excess Oil: Drain any excess fat from the skillet to avoid greasiness in the final dish.
- Add Sauce and Seasonings: Return the ground beef mixture to medium heat, then stir in the marinara sauce along with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper. Cook until the sauce is just simmering, then remove from heat.
- Mix Creamy Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, and the remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper. Stir well until fully mixed.
- Combine Noodles and Cream Mixture: Add the cooked and cooled egg noodles to the creamy mixture. Stir gently to evenly coat the noodles.
- Layer the Bake – First Layer: Spread half of the sour cream noodle mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer the Bake – Ground Beef: Spoon half of the ground beef marinara mixture over the noodle layer, spreading evenly.
- Add Cheese Layer: Sprinkle 2 cups of the shredded cheeses over the ground beef layer.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process by spreading the remaining sour cream noodle mixture, followed by the remaining ground beef mixture.
- Top with Remaining Cheese: Finish by sprinkling the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the beef mixture is heated through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- You can use a mix of mild cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese as stated, or substitute with your preferred cheeses for different flavor profiles.
- Be sure to drain the cooked noodles well and rinse them to prevent them from sticking together in the casserole.
- This bake can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated, then baked just before serving.
- For a creamier texture, consider increasing sour cream slightly or mixing in a little cream cheese.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
