Beef Noodle Casserole (Print Version)

Baked ground beef and egg noodles in tomato sauce with cheddar and sour cream; a simple, hearty family dinner.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 bell pepper, diced

→ Sauces and Liquids

05 - 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
06 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
07 - 1/2 cup beef broth

→ Pasta

08 - 8 ounces egg noodles

→ Dairy

09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1/2 cup sour cream

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish (Optional)

15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Cook egg noodles in a saucepan according to package directions; drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until evenly browned. Drain excess fat.
04 - Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
05 - Incorporate tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
06 - Remove from heat. Gently fold in the cooked egg noodles and sour cream until mixture is well combined.
07 - Transfer beef and noodle mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbling and cheese is melted.
09 - If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet before baking so cleanup is almost suspiciously easy.
  • The sour cream stirred into the noodles adds a tangy richness nobody can quite place but everyone loves.
  • Its forgiving enough that swapping ingredients never ruins it.
02 -
  • Drain the beef fat thoroughly or the casserole will be greasy on top after baking.
  • Undercooking the noodles by one minute before assembling prevents them from turning mushy in the oven.
  • Letting the dish rest after baking makes serving so much cleaner.
03 -
  • Shred cheese from a block yourself for a smoother, more even melt every single time.
  • Simmer the sauce the full 5 minutes because that short wait deepens the flavor more than any extra seasoning could.

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