Description
Savor a comforting and hearty Sour Cream Noodle Bake that layers tender wide egg noodles with a savory meat sauce, creamy sour cream and cottage cheese blend, and a melty cheese topping. This dish combines familiar flavors in a warm casserole perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
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: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the wide egg noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and crumbly. Drain excess fat. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce along with half the salt and half the pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally.
- Make Sour Cream Layer: In a medium bowl, combine the small curd cottage cheese, sour cream, and thinly sliced green onions. Mix well to create a creamy layer.
- Assemble the Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the cooked noodles evenly on the bottom. Layer half of the meat sauce over the noodles, followed by half of the sour cream mixture. Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, meat sauce, and sour cream layer.
- Add Cheese Topping: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mild cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses on top of the assembled layers.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the noodle bake from oven and allow it to rest for about 5-10 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set for neater servings.
Notes
- Use wide egg noodles for best texture; regular pasta can be substituted but adjust cooking times accordingly.
- For a lower fat version, substitute the ground beef with ground turkey and use low-fat sour cream and cottage cheese.
- If you prefer a spicier version, add red chili flakes to the meat sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Letting the bake rest improves slicing and flavor melding.
Keywords: Sour Cream Noodle Bake, Egg Noodle Casserole, Cheesy Noodle Bake, Comfort Food, Family Dinner, Casserole Recipe