Description
This Ground Beef Casserole is a hearty and comforting American classic featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy sour cream and cottage cheese mixture, tender egg noodles, and melted cheddar cheese. Baked to bubbly, cheesy perfection, it makes an easy, family-friendly main course perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
Dairy Mixture
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
Other Ingredients
- 8 oz egg noodles, cooked and drained
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with chopped onion and minced garlic until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease to avoid sogginess.
- Season Beef Mixture: Stir in salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to blend flavors, then remove from heat.
- Prepare Dairy Mixture: In a bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese until evenly mixed.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the cooked egg noodles evenly on the bottom, then spread half of the sour cream mixture over the noodles. Next, add half of the beef mixture on top. Repeat the layering with remaining noodles, sour cream mixture, and beef mixture. Finish by sprinkling shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and ingredients to heat through.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, with a slightly golden top.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a touch of freshness and color.
Notes
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a tangy twist or ricotta cheese for cottage cheese for a creamier texture.
- For extra vegetables, add sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef mixture during cooking.
