Get ready to indulge in a truly satisfying and incredibly comforting classic: Sour Cream Noodle Bake! This layered casserole combines a savory ground beef and tomato sauce with tender egg noodles coated in a creamy, tangy mixture of cottage cheese and sour cream, all baked under a blanket of melty Colby Jack cheese. It’s the quintessential comfort food that’s easy to prepare and guaranteed to be a huge hit with the entire family.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a cornerstone of comforting family meals in my kitchen. What I love most about it is the incredible combination of textures and flavors. The rich, meaty tomato sauce provides a savory foundation, while the creamy noodle layer (with that delightful tang from sour cream and cottage cheese) adds a luxurious richness. And, of course, the melted Colby Jack cheese on top brings everything together in a gooey, satisfying way. It’s a fantastic make-ahead option, perfect for feeding a crowd, and consistently delivers that warm, nostalgic feeling of a home-cooked meal.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this incredibly comforting Sour Cream Noodle Bake:
For the Sauce Mixture:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small sweet onion, small diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Noodle Mixture:
- 12 ounces egg noodles
- 1 ½ cups small curd cottage cheese
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 8 ounces shredded Colby Jack cheese
Swaps and Notes
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is recommended to avoid excess grease. Ground turkey or a mix of beef and Italian sausage can also be used.
- Onion: A sweet onion will soften nicely. Yellow onion works as well.
- Tomato Sauce: A good quality canned tomato sauce is perfect. You can also use crushed tomatoes for a slightly chunkier sauce.
- Egg Noodles: Medium or wide egg noodles work best for this casserole.
- Cottage Cheese: Small curd cottage cheese blends seamlessly into the creamy noodle mixture. If you’re not a fan of cottage cheese texture, some people blend it briefly before mixing.
- Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream provides the richest flavor and creaminess. Low-fat can be used but may result in a slightly thinner sauce.
- Colby Jack Cheese: This cheese melts beautifully and has a mild, creamy flavor. Cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix would also be delicious.
- Seasoning: Adjust salt and pepper to your taste. A pinch of dried basil or oregano in the meat sauce would also be a lovely addition.
Instructions
Let’s get this delicious and easy Sour Cream Noodle Bake assembled and into the oven!
- Preheat Oven & Prep Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside. This will help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Brown Meat and Onion: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and small diced sweet onion. Use a spoon to break up the beef into crumbles as it cooks. Stir occasionally until there is no pink left in the beef and the onion has softened, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add Garlic and Simmer Sauce: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked meat and onion. Stir it in for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant (be careful not to burn the garlic). Stir in the tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Once simmering, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Cook Noodles: While the meat sauce is simmering, cook the egg noodles according to the package directions until they are al dente. Drain the noodles very well and set them aside.
- Prepare Noodle Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the small curd cottage cheese, sour cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder. Stir until all ingredients are well combined and smooth. Add the cooked and drained egg noodles to this bowl and stir gently so that all the noodles are thoroughly coated in the creamy mixture.
- Layer the Casserole:
- Place half of the coated noodles into the bottom of the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading them into an even layer.
- Top the noodle layer with half of the meat and tomato sauce mixture, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded Colby Jack cheese over the sauce layer.
- Repeat the layers: add the remaining noodles, followed by the remaining meat sauce, and finally, top with the remaining shredded Colby Jack cheese.
- Bake and Serve: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the casserole is warmed through, bubbly around the edges, and the cheese on top has melted and is lightly golden. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Al Dente Noodles: Cook the egg noodles only to al dente. They will continue to cook slightly in the oven, and you want them to retain a good texture.
- Drain Meat Thoroughly: Removing excess fat from the ground beef is key for a non-greasy, more pleasant casserole.
- Don’t Overmix Noodle Mixture: Gently stir the noodles into the sour cream and cottage cheese mixture to avoid breaking them.
- Even Layers: Spreading the layers evenly ensures every scoop of casserole has a balanced mix of ingredients.
- Warm Through, Don’t Overbake: The goal in the oven is to warm everything and melt the cheese, as all ingredients are already cooked. Overbaking can dry it out.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a hearty, complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple additions:
- Garlic Bread: A classic choice for soaking up any extra sauce.
- Side Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole.
- Steamed Vegetables: Simple steamed broccoli or green beans for added nutrition.
- For other comforting and easy-to-make dinner ideas, you might enjoy our Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole or a classic like Spaghetti with Homemade Sauce.
Storage and Leftover Tips
This casserole makes excellent leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors deepen!
- Refrigeration: Store any cooled leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. For larger amounts, you can cover it with foil and reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven until hot and bubbly.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes well. Cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The pasta might be slightly softer after freezing and thawing, but it will still be delicious.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the hearty, cheesy, and easy nature of this Sour Cream Noodle Bake, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free recipes:
- For a super quick and easy weeknight dinner shortcut, our This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut is a must-try!
- If you’re a fan of quick comfort food that uses your Instant Pot, check out This Instant Pot Lasagna Is My Favorite Way to Make Comfort Food Fast.
- And for another go-to cozy chicken dinner that’s super versatile, our These Chicken Enchiladas Are My Go-To for Cozy Crowd-Pleasing Dinners are a winner.
Final Thoughts
This Sour Cream Noodle Bake is truly a classic for a reason – it’s the ultimate comfort food that’s easy to prepare, incredibly satisfying, and always a hit with the entire family. With its savory meat sauce, creamy noodles, and generous cheese layers, it’s a dish that brings warmth and happiness to any table.
Give this recipe a try and let me know how much you love this delicious and easy casserole! What are your favorite classic comfort foods? Share your ideas in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy baking!
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