Description
Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a comforting and hearty casserole featuring tender egg noodles mixed with a creamy blend of sour cream and cottage cheese, layered with seasoned ground chuck in a savory tomato sauce, and topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese. Baked to perfection, this dish is ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner, offering a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 1/4 lb. ground chuck
- 1 (15-oz.) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Noodle Mixture
- 8 oz. egg noodles
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/4 cups small curd cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions (adjust amount to taste)
Topping
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown the ground chuck: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground chuck until fully browned. Drain excess fat, then stir in the tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer gently while you prepare the noodles and cheese mixture.
- Cook the egg noodles: Boil the egg noodles in salted water until they are al dente, usually about 6-8 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Prepare the creamy noodle mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream and small curd cottage cheese. Add freshly ground black pepper generously and mix well. Stir this cheese mixture into the drained egg noodles, then fold in the sliced green onions evenly.
- Assemble the bake: In a baking dish, spread half of the creamy noodle mixture evenly. Layer half of the meat sauce on top, followed by half of the grated cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, meat sauce, and finish with the last layer of cheddar cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm. This casserole pairs wonderfully with crusty French bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- This Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a perfect meal prep option for weeknight dinners because it’s easy to assemble and satisfying.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of green onions to suit your taste preference.
- Using sharp cheddar cheese adds a rich tangy flavor that complements the creamy and savory components.
- For added texture, consider sprinkling breadcrumbs on top before baking for a crunchy crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 347
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 538 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 99 mg
