Cheesy Beef And Noodle Casserole (Printable Version)
Tender noodles, seasoned beef, and melted cheddar create this family favorite comfort food.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
05 - 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper (optional)
→ Pasta
06 - 12 oz egg noodles
→ Dairy
07 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
08 - 1 cup sour cream
→ Sauces & Canned Goods
09 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
10 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
→ Spices & Seasonings
12 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
13 - 1/2 tsp paprika
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Other
15 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Cook egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly in a colander and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and red bell pepper if using; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking up with a spatula as it cooks. Drain excess fat from the pan.
05 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Add tomato paste, drained diced tomatoes, frozen peas if using, Italian herbs, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes to combine flavors.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Mix in sour cream and condensed cream of mushroom soup until fully incorporated and smooth.
07 - Gently fold in half of the shredded cheddar cheese and the cooked egg noodles until evenly distributed throughout the beef mixture.
08 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Top evenly with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese.
09 - Bake for 25–30 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown, and the edges are bubbling. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan before hitting the oven meaning minimal cleanup
- The sour cream creates the creamiest texture you've ever tasted in a casserole
02 -
- Draining the tomatoes is crucial or you'll end up with soupy casserole instead of creamy perfection
- Letting it rest for those 5 minutes seems impossible but it makes the difference between a mess and neat servings
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for the smoothest melting texture
- Don't overcook the noodles in the boiling water since they'll finish in the oven