Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Transform simple pantry staples into a crowd-pleasing dinner with this hearty casserole. Tender egg noodles nestle between layers of seasoned ground beef in marinara sauce and a creamy cottage cheese mixture, all crowned with golden melted cheese. This dish brings homestyle comfort to your table without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

What You’ll Need

For the Noodles:

• 8 ounces wide egg noodles

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ cup finely diced sweet yellow onion
• ½ tablespoon minced garlic
• 24-ounce jar marinara sauce (RAO’s brand recommended)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (divided)
• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (divided)

For the Creamy Layer:

• 1¼ cups small curd cottage cheese (4% milkfat)
• ½ cup sour cream
• ⅓ cup thinly sliced green onions
• 3 cups shredded cheese blend (1½ cups mild cheddar, 1½ cups Monterey Jack)

Preparation Steps

Setting Up:
Set your oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.

Cooking the Noodles:
Fill a large saucepan with water and bring it to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Add the egg noodles and cook until just tender with a slight bite. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process. This prevents mushy noodles after baking.

Making the Meat Sauce:
While the noodles cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef along with the diced onion and minced garlic. Break up the meat as it cooks, stirring frequently until no pink remains visible. Drain away any excess grease from the pan.

Return the beef mixture to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Pour in the marinara sauce and season with half the salt and pepper. Stir everything together and let it come to a simmer. Once bubbling gently, remove from the heat.

Preparing the Creamy Mixture:
In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, and the remaining half portions of salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended. Fold in the cooled egg noodles and stir until every strand is coated with the creamy mixture.

Assembling the Casserole:
Spread half of the noodle mixture across the bottom of your prepared baking dish, creating an even layer. Spoon half of the meat sauce over the noodles, distributing it evenly. Sprinkle 2 cups of the shredded cheese blend over the meat layer.

Repeat these layers using the remaining ingredients: spread the rest of the creamy noodles, top with the remaining meat sauce, and finish with the final cup of shredded cheese.

Baking:
Place the uncovered dish in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. The casserole is ready when the cheese has melted into a golden blanket and the meat sauce bubbles around the edges. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to help the layers set.

Kitchen Tips for Success

Choose full-fat sour cream for the richest, most luxurious texture in your creamy layer. The higher fat content creates a thicker consistency that stands up beautifully to baking.

Cook your noodles to al dente rather than fully tender. They’ll continue softening in the oven, and this precaution ensures they maintain their structure instead of turning mushy.

Don’t skip rinsing the cooked noodles with cold water. This simple step prevents them from clumping together and makes them easier to mix with the creamy ingredients.

Shredding your own cheese from blocks gives you better melting results than pre-shredded varieties. The anti-caking agents in bagged cheese can prevent smooth melting and even coverage.

If your sauce seems too thick during assembly, thin it with a tablespoon or two of water. This helps it spread more easily between layers.

Allow the finished casserole to rest briefly before cutting into it. Those few minutes let the layers firm up slightly, resulting in neater portions that hold their shape on the plate.

Storage and Reheating

Make-Ahead Option:
Assemble this casserole up to 24 hours before you plan to serve it. Cover tightly and refrigerate. When baking from cold, add 10-15 minutes to the cooking time to ensure it heats through completely.

Storing Leftovers:
Transfer cooled portions to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. The flavors often meld and improve overnight, making leftovers especially delicious.

Reheating Instructions:
For individual servings, microwave on medium power until heated through, stirring halfway for even warming. To reheat the entire dish, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until the center reaches serving temperature.

Freezing Guidelines:
This casserole freezes beautifully for up to two months. Once completely cooled, wrap the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil, or portion into freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the methods above.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 594
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Protein: 42g
• Total Fat: 31g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Cholesterol: 154mg
• Sodium: 1497mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 7g
• Calcium: 497mg
• Iron: 4mg

This casserole serves as a complete meal with protein, carbohydrates, and calcium. Pair it with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables to round out your dinner plate.