Description
This comforting Sour Cream Noodle Bake combines tender egg noodles, a creamy sour cream and cottage cheese mixture, savory ground beef in marinara sauce, and melted provolone cheese. It’s an easy, satisfying casserole perfect for weeknight dinners, baked to golden perfection for a warm, hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cream Mixture
- 12 ounces egg noodles (1 package)
- 1½ cups sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives or green onion
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound 85% lean ground beef
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade, 1 jar)
Topping
- 2 cups shredded provolone cheese or mozzarella, divided
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions until tender. Drain well and return them to the pot for the next step.
- Prepare the cream mixture: In a bowl, combine sour cream, cottage cheese, chopped chives, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in salt and onion powder. Add this creamy mixture to the cooked noodles and stir to combine. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven: Set the oven to preheat at 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion with a pinch of salt and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Cook the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Stir in the marinara sauce and mix well to combine.
- Assemble the casserole: In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the creamy noodle mixture on the bottom. Spread half of the ground beef and marinara sauce mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese. Repeat the layering process with the remaining noodles, beef mixture, and cheese on top.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute provolone cheese with mozzarella or your favorite melting cheese.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat sour cream and cottage cheese.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat sauce for added nutrition and flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce while cooking.
