Description
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty beef noodle casserole, blending rich ground beef, tender egg noodles, and creamy cheese into a satisfying family dinner. Melted cheddar and a golden breadcrumb topping elevate this classic dish, promising delicious warmth in every forkful.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Noodles and Base:
- 12 ounces (12 oz) egg noodles
- 1 can (15 ounces/15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Boil egg noodles in salted water until al dente, following package timing. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking into small crumbles. Cook until completely browned and no pink remains, about 7-8 minutes.
- Drain accumulated fat from the meat mixture, returning skillet to heat.
- Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Allow mixture to simmer and reduce for 5-6 minutes, concentrating flavors.
- Fold in cream of mushroom soup and sour cream, creating a rich, creamy sauce that coats the meat evenly.
- Gently incorporate cooked egg noodles and half the cheddar cheese, ensuring all ingredients are well distributed.
- Transfer entire mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly and topping with remaining cheese.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes. Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, healthier alternative.
- Add depth by incorporating mushrooms or bell peppers during the sautéing stage for extra nutrients and flavor complexity.
- Use gluten-free egg noodles or zucchini noodles to make the dish suitable for different dietary restrictions.
- Enhance creaminess by mixing in a splash of heavy cream or Greek yogurt for a richer texture without overwhelming the original recipe’s balance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg