Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole (Print Version)

Layers of creamy noodles, seasoned beef, and cheddar cheese make a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Main Components

01 - 1 pound lean ground beef
02 - 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
05 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
06 - 8 ounces egg noodles

→ Dairy

07 - 1 cup sour cream
08 - 1 cup cottage cheese
09 - 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated

→ Seasoning

10 - Kosher salt, to taste
11 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is fully browned and the onion is soft, approximately 10 minutes.
03 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Incorporate the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
04 - Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream and cottage cheese. Add in the cooked egg noodles, season with salt and pepper, and stir until thoroughly combined.
06 - Spread half of the noodle mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the beef and tomato sauce mixture. Repeat with remaining noodles and sauce for a second layer.
07 - Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese evenly over the surface. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is fully melted.
08 - Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving to help set the layers.

# Notes:

01 - Letting the casserole rest after baking ensures cleaner slices and enhances flavor development.