Description
This Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a comforting, creamy casserole layered with tender egg noodles, savory ground beef marinara sauce, and a rich sour cream and cottage cheese blend topped with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines hearty flavors with a creamy texture in an easy-to-make baked dish.
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 in half
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper, divided in half
Sour Cream Layer
- 1¼ cup 4% small curd cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced green onions
Cheese Topping
- 3 cups shredded cheese (1½ cups shredded mild cheddar cheese, 1½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese)
Instructions
- Cook Noodles: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the wide egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the lean ground beef along with the chopped sweet yellow onion and minced garlic. Season with half the kosher salt and half the black pepper while cooking. Once browned, drain excess fat. Add the jar of marinara sauce to the beef mixture, stir well, and simmer for 5-7 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Make Sour Cream Layer: In a bowl, combine the 4% small curd cottage cheese, sour cream, and thinly sliced green onions. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Assemble the Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, layer half of the cooked noodles evenly. Spread half of the meat sauce over the noodles, followed by half of the sour cream mixture. Repeat the layering with the remaining noodles, meat sauce, and sour cream mixture.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mild cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top layer of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown.
- Serve: Allow the noodle bake to cool for 5 minutes before serving. This helps it set and makes it easier to cut and plate.
Notes
- For a lower-fat option, use ground turkey instead of beef and low-fat cheese varieties.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or basil can be added to the meat sauce to enhance flavor.
- Ensure noodles are not overcooked to prevent a mushy casserole.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger gatherings using a bigger baking dish.
Keywords: Sour Cream Noodle Bake, Egg Noodle Casserole, Ground Beef Casserole, Creamy Noodle Bake, Comfort Food Casserole