Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole

Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with comforting flavor — the ultimate weeknight family casserole!

This Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole is the definition of comfort food. Perfect for busy weeknights or make-ahead meals, it combines tender egg noodles, savory ground beef, and a creamy blend of sour cream, cottage cheese, and melted cheddar. The rich tomato sauce layered between the noodles makes it hearty, satisfying, and packed with flavor.

Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a reliable potluck dish, this classic casserole is a nostalgic favorite that never goes out of style.

Why You’ll Love This

• Quick & Easy: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make it weeknight-friendly.
• Creamy & Savory: The combo of sour cream, cottage cheese, and tomato sauce is ultra comforting.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Make ahead and reheat — it tastes even better the next day.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Great for gatherings, potlucks, or feeding a hungry family of four.
• Customizable: Swap the ground beef, change up the cheese, or add veggies!

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• ½ yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 8 oz egg noodles
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the Beef and Onion
   In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
3. Add Tomato Sauce
   Stir in tomato sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
4. Boil the Noodles
   While the sauce simmers, cook the egg noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
5. Mix the Creamy Base
   In a large bowl, mix together sour cream and cottage cheese. Fold in the cooked noodles and season with salt and pepper.
6. Assemble the Casserole
   Spread half the creamy noodle mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half the beef sauce. Repeat layers.
7. Top and Bake
   Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
8. Cool and Serve
   Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips, Storage & FAQs

Tips

• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for a little heat.
• Use freshly shredded cheddar for best melting and flavor.
• Don’t overcook the noodles — they’ll continue to soften in the oven.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze assembled (unbaked) or baked casserole tightly wrapped for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Bake from thawed at 350°F for 25–30 minutes, or until heated through.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef? Yes! Turkey or chicken works great as a leaner alternative.
• Can I leave out the cottage cheese? You can sub it with ricotta cheese or more sour cream, though the texture will vary.
• Can this be made ahead? Absolutely! Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Final Thoughts

Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole is the kind of cozy classic that’s perfect for any night of the week. With its hearty layers and creamy texture, it’s one of those dishes that brings everyone to the table and keeps them coming back for seconds. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or doubling it for a crowd, this casserole never disappoints.

📖 Recipe

Print Pin

Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole

This Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole is a cheesy, comforting dish made with tender noodles, seasoned beef, and creamy sour cream. Perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep!

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• ½ yellow onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 8 oz egg noodles
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup cheddar cheese grated
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the Oven

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Cook the Beef and Onion

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.

Add Tomato Sauce

• Stir in tomato sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.

Boil the Noodles

• While the sauce simmers, cook the egg noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Mix the Creamy Base

• In a large bowl, mix together sour cream and cottage cheese. Fold in the cooked noodles and season with salt and pepper.

Assemble the Casserole

• Spread half the creamy noodle mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half the beef sauce. Repeat layers.

Top and Bake

• Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden.

Cool and Serve

• Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for a little heat.

Use freshly shredded cheddar for best melting and flavor.

Don’t overcook the noodles — they’ll continue to soften in the oven.