Creamy Beef Noodle Bake (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
02 -
1 pound lean ground beef
03 -
½ yellow onion, finely chopped
04 -
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
05 -
8 ounces egg noodles
06 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
07 -
1 cup sour cream
08 -
1 cup cottage cheese
09 -
2 cans (15 ounces each) plain tomato sauce
10 -
Salt (kosher) and black pepper to season to your liking
# Instructions:
01 -
Set your oven to 350°F so it can preheat. Take out a 9x13-inch baking dish and lightly coat it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
02 -
In a big skillet over medium-high heat, toss in the ground beef and your chopped onions. Cook them together until the beef turns brown and the onions are soft, which should take about 10 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic during the last minute for that extra pop of flavor.
03 -
Pour the tomato sauce straight into the skillet and mix in the Italian seasoning. Let everything simmer together for roughly 5 minutes, giving it the occasional stir. Add salt and pepper to taste, then move the sauce off the heat when it's ready.
04 -
Cook the egg noodles in a big pot of water with plenty of salt. You'll want them soft but still a bit firm when you bite into them. Drain once they're cooked and keep them aside.
05 -
In a big bowl, combine the sour cream and cottage cheese until they're well blended. Add in the cooked noodles and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything until the noodles are evenly coated in the creamy mixture.
06 -
Layer half of the creamy noodles into your baking dish. Spread half of the meat sauce over them. Repeat the same layering with the rest of the noodles and finish with the remaining meat sauce on top.
07 -
Top it all off with a generous sprinkling of cheddar cheese. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the cheese is golden and gooey.
08 -
Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes after taking it out of the oven. This helps everything settle before you dig in and serve!
# Notes:
01 -
To make this gluten-free, swap out the egg noodles for a gluten-free pasta option you like, such as quinoa or rice-based varieties.
02 -
Check your tomato sauce and spices carefully to ensure they're free from hidden gluten since some products can sneak it in.