Hearty Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake Recipe: Family Favorite

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering sour cream beef noodle bake that promises pure culinary bliss.

Hearty layers of tender beef, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles create an irresistible dinner experience.

Every forkful delivers rich, satisfying flavors that warm you from the inside out.

The melted cheese creates a golden, crispy top that seals in all the delicious goodness.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing casserole.

Home cooks love how effortlessly this dish comes together with simple ingredients.

Dive into a meal that’s guaranteed to become a staple in your recipe collection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 483 kcal

Servings: 7

What You’ll Need for Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake

• Egg Noodles: Provides the hearty foundation with a silky texture, choose wide, high-quality noodles for best results.

• Ground Beef, Onion, Garlic: Creates a robust, savory base with deep flavor layers, select lean beef for less grease and fresh aromatics for maximum taste punch.

• Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, Worcestershire Sauce, Smoked Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt, Pepper: Builds complex, tangy sauce with smoky undertones, opt for fire-roasted tomatoes for extra depth and adjust spice levels to personal preference.

• Sour Cream, Cottage Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Delivers rich, velvety texture and intense cheesy goodness, select full-fat versions for maximum creaminess and melt-in-your-mouth experience.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright, fresh finish and visual appeal, choose vibrant green leaves for best flavor and presentation.

Gear Guide for Your Noodle Bake Adventure

• Large pot: Essential for boiling noodles and ensuring they cook perfectly.
• Colander: Needed to drain noodles quickly and rinse with cold water.
• 9×13 inch baking dish: Perfect for layering and baking the casserole.
• Skillet: Great for browning ground beef and sautéing onions.
• Mixing bowl: Useful for combining sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, and seasonings.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps mix ingredients and stir ground beef while cooking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Step-by-Step: Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake

• Noodle Preparation

Boil water and cook egg noodles until perfectly tender. Quickly cool them down and add a touch of olive oil to prevent clumping.

• Meat Mixture

Brown ground beef in a skillet, breaking it into small crumbles. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic for rich flavor. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish light.

• Creamy Sauce Creation

Mix sour cream, cream cheese, and a splash of milk in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and silky, creating a luxurious base for the casserole.

• Layering Magic

Spread a thin layer of sauce in a baking dish. Add cooked noodles, followed by the seasoned beef. Pour remaining sauce over the top, ensuring even coverage.

• Cheese Finale

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across the surface. This will create a golden, bubbling topping that adds irresistible texture and flavor.

• Baking Perfection

Pop the dish into a preheated oven. Bake until the cheese melts completely and edges turn a beautiful golden brown, around 25-30 minutes.

• Resting Period

Let the casserole sit for a few minutes after removing from the oven. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier and more enjoyable.

Flavor Boosters for Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake

• Noodle Separation Hack: Toss cooked noodles with a little olive oil to prevent clumping and ensure each strand stays perfectly separate and ready for delicious mixing.
• Cheese Flexibility: Swap out the suggested cheese with cheddar, monterey jack, or a spicy pepper jack for a personalized flavor twist that matches your taste preferences.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and making dinner prep a breeze on busy nights.
• Veggie Boost Option: Stir in chopped spinach, diced bell peppers, or sliced mushrooms to add extra nutrition and create a more complex flavor profile that elevates the basic recipe.
• Leftover Love: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or warm the entire dish in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes to maintain the creamy texture and prevent drying out.

Ways to Serve Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake

• Cozy Family Dinner Centerpiece: Serve this hearty casserole as the star of your family meal, accompanied by a crisp green salad to balance the rich, creamy flavors.
• Potluck Party Showstopper: Bring this crowd-pleasing dish to gatherings where comfort food reigns supreme, ensuring it stays warm in a covered dish for maximum enjoyment.
• Weeknight Meal Companion: Pair with roasted seasonal vegetables like broccoli or glazed carrots to add nutrition and color to this classic comfort food, creating a well-rounded dinner that satisfies everyone at the table.
• Leftovers Lunch Hack: Pack individual portions in meal prep containers for a delicious next-day lunch that reheats beautifully in the microwave, giving you a quick and tasty midday meal.

Reheat, Store, or Make Ahead: Noodle Bake Know-How

• Quick Refrigeration Shield: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months, ensuring a convenient meal for busy days.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350°F covered with foil to retain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Ingredient Separation Secret: Keep unused noodles and sauce separately in the refrigerator, allowing you to assemble fresh portions without compromising texture or taste.

Creamy Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty sour cream beef noodle bake delivers comfort with layers of rich flavors and creamy textures. Midwestern home cooking shines through this simple, satisfying casserole that promises warmth and deliciousness at your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
• 12 oz (340 g) uncooked egg noodles
• 1 can (15 oz or 425 g) tomato sauce
• 1 can (15 oz or 425 g) diced tomatoes, drained
• 8 oz (227 g) sour cream
• 8 oz (227 g) small curd cottage cheese
• 2 cups (226 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• Red pepper flakes to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley to garnish

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Cook egg noodles in salted boiling water according to package instructions, then drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, preventing overcooking. Lightly toss with olive oil to keep noodles separated and glistening.
2. Meat Foundation: In a large skillet, brown ground beef, breaking into fine crumbles. Enhance with robust seasonings, creating a rich flavor profile. Fold in sour cream and tomato sauce, blending until mixture achieves a harmonious consistency.
3. Layering and Assembly: Preheat oven to optimal temperature. Arrange noodles as the base in a prepared baking dish, then evenly distribute seasoned beef mixture across the surface, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Cheese and Baking: Generously crown the casserole with shredded cheese, creating a golden, crispy top layer. Bake until cheese melts completely and edges turn a delectable bronze color.
5. Finishing Touch: Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest briefly, permitting flavors to meld and stabilize. Slice and serve warm, garnishing with fresh herbs to elevate the dish’s aromatic appeal.

Notes

• Prevent Mushy Noodles: Immediately shock cooked noodles with cold water to stop the cooking process and maintain perfect texture.
• Optimize Meat Seasoning: Use robust spices and thoroughly crumble ground beef to develop a deep, consistent flavor throughout the dish.
• Achieve Perfect Cheese Crust: Sprinkle cheese generously and bake until edges turn golden brown and crispy for maximum flavor and texture.
• Let Flavors Settle: Allow casserole to rest briefly after baking, enabling ingredients to meld and create a more harmonious taste experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 483
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg