Beef Noodle Casserole (Printable view)
Tender beef, egg noodles, tomato sauce and cheddar baked together for a comforting family meal in under an hour.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 bell pepper, diced
→ Sauces and Liquids
05 - 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
06 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
07 - 1/2 cup beef broth
→ Pasta
08 - 8 ounces egg noodles
→ Dairy
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1/2 cup sour cream
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnish
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
# Steps:
01 - Set oven temperature to 375°F and allow to fully preheat.
02 - Cook egg noodles in a saucepan according to package instructions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until fully browned. Drain excess fat from skillet.
04 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, and bell pepper to the browned beef. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are softened.
05 - Incorporate tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with juices, beef broth, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and simmer mixture for 5 minutes.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Fold in cooked noodles and sour cream, mixing until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and coated.
07 - Transfer the beef and noodle mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread evenly across the dish.
08 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the surface. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until casserole is bubbly and cheese is melted.
09 - Remove dish from oven. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one skillet before it hits the oven, so cleanup is almost suspiciously easy.
- The sour cream stirred into the noodles gives it a richness that makes people think you tried way harder than you did.
02 -
- Undercook your noodles slightly before assembling or they will turn mushy after baking.
- Shredding cheddar from a block instead of using pre-shredded makes the melted top noticeably smoother.
03 -
- A pinch of red pepper flakes stirred into the sauce adds warmth without making it spicy.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking so it holds together when you scoop it out.