Description
This Hearty Homestyle Beef and Noodle Casserole is a cozy, family-friendly recipe layered with seasoned ground beef, egg noodles, creamy cheese filling, and rich tomato sauce. Easy, budget-friendly, and freezer-ready, this casserole is the ultimate comfort food for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles or pasta of choice
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil or cooking spray (for greasing baking dish)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Cook noodles according to package directions; drain and set aside.
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In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
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Stir in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
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In a bowl, mix cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.
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Layer half the noodles in the baking dish, spread cream cheese mixture over top, then add remaining noodles.
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Pour meat sauce evenly over noodles and top with shredded cheese.
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Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers for more veggies.
- Substitute ground turkey or lentils for a lighter version.
- Use ricotta instead of cream cheese for a different texture.
- For extra spice, stir red pepper flakes into the meat sauce.
- Freeze unbaked or baked casserole for up to 2 months.
