Description
This Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a comforting, cheesy casserole featuring al dente egg noodles layered with a savory ground beef marinara sauce and a creamy sour cream and cottage cheese mixture. Topped with a melty blend of mild cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, baked to golden perfection, it’s a hearty and satisfying family-friendly dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles
- 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)
Cheese Mixture
- 1¼ cup 4% small curd cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- â…“ cup thinly sliced green onions
Topping
- 3 cups shredded cheese (1½ cup shredded mild cheddar cheese, 1½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Noodles: Bring water to a low boil in a 5 to 6 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the egg noodles and cook until al dente. Drain and then rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
- Cook Ground Beef Mixture: While noodles cook, heat a 10 to 12 inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Stir frequently until beef is no longer pink. Drain excess oil.
- Simmer with Sauce: Return beef mixture to the skillet, reduce heat to medium. Stir in marinara sauce, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Cook until the mixture just begins to simmer. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir until fully blended.
- Combine Noodles and Cheese Mixture: Add cooked and cooled egg noodles to the cheese mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat noodles evenly.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread half of the sour cream and noodle mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon half the ground beef sauce over this layer. Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheese on top.
- Repeat and Top: Repeat the layers with remaining sour cream noodle mixture and ground beef sauce. Finish by sprinkling the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. The cheese should be melted and bubbly, and the ground beef mixture bubbling around the edges.
- Serve Hot: Remove from the oven and serve warm for a creamy, cheesy, and savory meal perfect for families or gatherings.
Notes
- Use a good quality marinara sauce for the best flavor.
- Draining the cooked noodles and rinsing with cold water stops further cooking and prevents clumping.
- You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms into the beef mixture for extra nutrients.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat beautifully.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute egg noodles with gluten-free pasta.
