Description
This Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a comforting and hearty casserole combining ground beef, Italian sausage, tender egg noodles, and a creamy sour cream mixture, all layered and baked to bubbly, cheesy perfection. Enhanced with savory Italian seasonings and a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, this dish is perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering, delivering rich flavors and satisfying textures in about 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- ½ pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey or chicken)
- ½ pound mild Italian pork sausage
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced (such as Vidalia)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ cup green onion, chopped (green and light green parts only)
Sauces & Dairy
- 2 cups tomato sauce (homemade or jarred marinara)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ¼ cups small curd cottage cheese (optional, whipped for smoother texture)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Dry Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (plus more for dusting)
Pasta
- 1 (12-ounce) bag wide egg noodles (or penne or elbow macaroni)
Optional
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your 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 them together in a bowl to prepare for layering.
- Brown Meats: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian pork sausage until fully cooked. Remove the meats from the skillet and drain excess fat on paper towels to reduce greasiness.
- Sauté Vegetables: Using the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook over medium heat until softened, about 6-8 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute for aromatic flavor. Remove from heat.
- Make Meat Sauce: Return the browned beef and sausage to the skillet with the sautéed onions. Stir in the tomato sauce and let it simmer on low heat. Add red pepper flakes if you desire some heat. If the sauce thickens too much, thin it with a little reserved pasta water.
- Cook Noodles: Prepare the egg noodles by boiling them in salted water according to package directions but cook them for one minute less than recommended to maintain firmness. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Cottage Cheese (Optional): For a smoother texture, whip the cottage cheese in a food processor for 1-2 minutes before use.
- Make Sour Cream Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the whipped or regular cottage cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Pour this creamy mixture over the cooked noodles and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: In the prepared casserole dish, layer half of the sour cream coated noodles first. Spoon half of the meat sauce evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese mixture on top. Repeat these layers with the remaining noodles, meat sauce, and cheese. Optionally sprinkle extra black pepper over the top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
- Serve: Serve immediately with a fresh side salad and garlic bread. Offer Parmesan cheese at the table for extra flavor enhancement.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef and sausage.
- Whipping the cottage cheese in a food processor is optional but helps achieve a smoother, creamier texture in the bake.
- If you prefer spicier dishes, add more red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Shrimp Parmesan or garlic bread makes a great accompaniment to this casserole.
- The casserole can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated; add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking from cold.
