This Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a comforting and cheesy casserole that’s perfect for a satisfying family meal! Imagine tender noodles, flavorful ground beef and sausage, a tangy sour cream sauce, and a generous layer of melted cheese. This recipe is easy to customize and sure to become a new weeknight favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy and Cheesy: The combination of sour cream, cottage cheese, and shredded cheese creates a rich and creamy sauce that coats every noodle.
- Flavorful and Hearty: The ground beef and Italian sausage add a savory depth of flavor, while the onions and garlic provide a fragrant base.
- Easy to Customize: You can easily swap out the meat, pasta, or cheese to suit your preferences.
- Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly: Perfect for meal prepping or freezing for later.
Ingredients
- Lean ground beef and Italian sausage: Provides a flavorful and hearty base for the casserole.
- Sweet onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Garlic: Contributes a fragrant and savory kick.
- Tomato sauce: Creates a rich and flavorful sauce.
- Wide egg noodles: A classic pasta shape that’s perfect for casseroles.
- Sour cream: Adds a tangy and creamy element to the sauce.
- Green onion: Provides a fresh and mild onion flavor.
- Small curd cottage cheese: Adds a creamy texture and a boost of protein.
- Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper: Seasonings that enhance the overall flavor.
- Cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese: Melts beautifully and adds a cheesy topping.
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for heat and Parmesan cheese for serving.
Note: For exact measurements, see the recipe card below!
How to Make Sour Cream Noodle Bake
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Butter or spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Grate the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses and set aside.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and sausage, breaking them up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, then remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 6-8 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly. Remove the skillet from heat.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
Return the beef and sausage mixture to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer on low heat. If desired, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. If the mixture seems too thick, thin it out with a little starchy pasta water.
Step 5: Cook the Noodles
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook according to package directions, reducing the cooking time by 1 minute. Drain the noodles and set aside.
Step 6: Prepare the Cottage Cheese (Optional)
If desired, whip the cottage cheese in a food processor for 1-2 minutes until very smooth. This step helps to create a creamier texture.
Step 7: Make the Sour Cream Mixture
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese (whipped or regular), sour cream, chopped green onions, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth. Add this mixture to the cooked pasta and stir to coat.
Step 8: Assemble and Bake
Layer half of the noodles in the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce and half of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers, ending with a final layer of cheese. Sprinkle with additional black pepper if desired. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 9: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve the Sour Cream Noodle Bake immediately with a side salad and garlic bread. Pass Parmesan cheese at the table for those who want an extra cheesy kick.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use quality cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded.
- Adjust the consistency: If the meat sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little pasta water.
- Don’t overcook the noodles: Cook the noodles al dente, as they will continue to cook in the oven.
- Whip the cottage cheese: Whipping the cottage cheese creates a smoother and creamier texture.
How to Serve
This Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a satisfying meal on its own, but here are some serving suggestions:
- Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette adds a refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole.
- Garlic Bread: Crusty garlic bread is perfect for sopping up any extra sauce.
- Steamed Vegetables: Serve with steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus for a balanced and nutritious meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
This Sour Cream Noodle Bake is great for making ahead of time or storing leftovers.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing
Freeze leftover or fully baked casserole in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat in the microwave or in a preheated 350°F oven until heated through.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of meat? Yes! Ground turkey, chicken, or a combination of meats would work well in this recipe.
2. Can I use a different type of pasta? Absolutely! Penne, rotini, or even elbow macaroni would be delicious substitutes.
3. Can I make this recipe vegetarian? Yes, you can! Omit the meat and add more vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.
4. Can I make this recipe spicier? Definitely! Add more red pepper flakes to the sauce or use a spicy Italian sausage.
This Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe is a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With its creamy sauce, cheesy topping, and hearty meat sauce, it’s sure to become a new family favorite!
PrintBeef and Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Description
This Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a comforting and cheesy casserole that’s perfect for a family meal! Tender egg noodles are tossed in a creamy sour cream sauce and layered with a flavorful meat sauce and melted cheese. It’s a hearty and satisfying dish that’s sure to please everyone.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey or chicken)
- 1/2 pound mild Italian pork sausage
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced (such as Vidalia)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 cups tomato sauce (homemade or jarred marinara)
- 1 (12-ounce) bag wide egg noodles (or penne or elbow macaroni)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup green onion, chopped (green and light green parts only)
- 1 1/4 cups small curd cottage cheese (optional, whipped for smoother texture)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (plus more for dusting)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Optional: Red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter or spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Shred the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses and toss together in a bowl.
- Brown Meats: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and sausage. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 6-8 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Remove from heat.
- Make Meat Sauce: Return the beef and sausage to the skillet with the onions. Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer on low. Add red pepper flakes (if desired) for heat. If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little pasta water.
- Cook Noodles: Cook the egg noodles in boiling salted water according to package directions, minus 1 minute. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Cottage Cheese (Optional): For a smoother texture, whip the cottage cheese in a food processor for 1-2 minutes.
- Make Sour Cream Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese (whipped or regular), sour cream, green onions, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Pour this mixture over the cooked noodles and stir to coat.
- Assemble Casserole: Layer half of the noodles in the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce and half of the shredded cheese. Repeat the layers. Sprinkle with additional black pepper if desired.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Serve immediately with a side salad and garlic bread. Pass Parmesan cheese at the table.
Notes
- Use kosher salt, not table salt or iodized salt, in this recipe.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven. To freeze, wrap the casserole tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *