Description
This Sour Cream Noodle Bake is a comforting and creamy casserole dish featuring tender egg noodles mixed with a rich sour cream and cottage cheese blend, layered with flavorful ground beef cooked in marinara sauce, and topped with melted provolone cheese. Perfect for a family-friendly dinner, this easy baked noodle casserole combines savory and creamy textures for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces egg noodles (1 package)
Cream Mixture
- 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 and 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)
Cheese and Garnish
- 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 al dente. Drain well, then return them to the pot they cooked in to keep warm.
- Prepare the cream mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream, cottage cheese, chopped chives or green onion, a couple of shakes of freshly ground black pepper, salt, and onion powder. Stir the mixture thoroughly and then fold it into the cooked noodles. Set this creamy noodle mixture aside.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions with a pinch of salt and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent and softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Cook the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until it is browned and fully cooked through. Stir in the marinara sauce and mix well to combine all flavors.
- Assemble the casserole: In the prepared baking dish, spread half of the creamy noodle mixture evenly on the bottom. Layer half of the ground beef and marinara sauce mixture on top of the noodles. Sprinkle one cup of the shredded provolone cheese evenly over the beef layer. Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, beef mixture, and cheese.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the dish is heated through and the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute provolone cheese with mozzarella or a cheese blend of your choice.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cottage cheese.
- If you prefer more herb flavor, add fresh basil or oregano to the meat sauce.
- This dish can be assembled the night before and baked the next day; just cover and refrigerate.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
