Hearty Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe for Cozy Nights

Crafting a heartwarming sour cream beef noodle casserole promises pure comfort on chilly evenings.

Layers of tender pasta and rich meat create a delightful symphony of flavors.

Creamy textures meld beautifully with savory ingredients, promising a satisfying meal.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet delicious solutions like this classic dish.

Families adore how quickly this casserole comes together with minimal effort.

Nostalgic and filling, each forkful delivers a warm embrace of home-cooked goodness.

Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole Classic

• Craft a Hearty Meal: Perfect for satisfying hungry families with minimal kitchen effort.
• Create Comfort Food Magic: Delivers rich, creamy flavors that remind you of classic home-cooked dinners everyone loves.
• Speed Through Dinner Prep: Requires just one skillet and a baking dish, minimizing cleanup and cooking time.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like ground turkey or add vegetables to match your taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients for Beef Noodle Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty meat that provides rich flavor and substance to the casserole.
• Beef Broth: Adds depth and enhances the overall meaty taste of the dish.

• Sour Cream: Creates a tangy and creamy base that brings moisture and richness to the casserole.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Offers a smooth, savory foundation that helps bind the ingredients together.
• Cheddar Cheese: Provides a sharp, melty topping that adds extra flavor and appealing texture.

• Egg Noodles: A classic pasta that serves as the main carbohydrate and absorbs the delicious sauce.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that build a flavor base and add complexity to the dish.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes a deep, umami flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.
• Salt, Pepper, Paprika: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the casserole's flavors.
• Fresh Parsley: A bright garnish that adds a touch of color and fresh herbal note.

How to Prepare Sour Cream Beef Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Cooking Space

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Grab a large skillet and get ready for some delicious cooking action.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic

Cook over medium heat, stirring and breaking up the beef until it’s fully cooked and the onions look soft and translucent. Drain away any extra fat to keep things light.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Sauce

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Sour cream
• Beef broth
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika

Mix everything together until it becomes a smooth, creamy blend that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 4: Combine Noodles and Beef

Add cooked egg noodles to the skillet.

Gently fold and stir until every single noodle gets a perfect coating of the delicious beef mixture.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the entire mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.

Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese across the top, creating a golden, melty blanket.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden masterpiece.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Pull the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

Scatter some fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and extra flavor. Serve hot and watch everyone dig in with excitement!

Tips for Perfect Beef Noodle Casserole

• Remove as much fat as possible to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor.
• Try sharp cheddar, monterey jack, or a blend for different taste profiles and added depth to the dish.
• Adjust salt and pepper to taste, and consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika for extra warmth and complexity.
• Cook egg noodles al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a pleasant bite in the final casserole.
• Prepare the casserole in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for a convenient meal option.

Variations on Beef Noodle Casserole

• Spicy Southwest Beef Casserole: Replace paprika with chili powder, add diced green chilies, and top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Lamb Noodle Bake: Swap ground beef for ground lamb, incorporate oregano and mint, use feta cheese instead of cheddar, and mix in sun-dried tomatoes.
• Creamy Chicken Mushroom Casserole: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken, add sautéed mushrooms, and sprinkle with Swiss cheese for a rich, earthy flavor.
• Vegetarian Veggie Noodle Casserole: Replace beef with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant, use vegetable broth, and top with nutritional yeast for a cheesy alternative.

Pairings for Sour Cream Beef Casserole

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the rich, meaty flavors of the beef casserole, cutting through the creamy sauce with its tannic structure.
• Serve with Crisp Green Salad: Create a light, refreshing side of mixed greens with a zesty vinaigrette to balance the hearty casserole, adding a fresh contrast to the creamy, savory dish.
• Enhance with Garlic Roasted Vegetables: Prepare simple roasted broccoli or Brussels sprouts seasoned with garlic and olive oil, providing a nutritious and flavorful accompaniment that adds texture and depth to the meal.

Storage Tips for Beef Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the casserole is completely cooled before sealing.
• Transfer to a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until thoroughly warmed. Add a splash of beef broth to prevent drying out.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly and drain any excess fat for the best flavor and texture.

• What if I don't have Worcestershire sauce?

You can substitute with soy sauce or skip it entirely. The sauce adds depth, but the dish will still taste delicious without it.

• Is this casserole good for meal prep?

Absolutely! This casserole keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheats easily in the microwave or oven, making it perfect for quick weeknight meals.

• Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes, you can freeze it before or after baking. If freezing before baking, cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty sour cream beef noodle casserole brings comfort straight from Midwestern kitchens to dinner tables across America. Creamy layers of tender beef, noodles, and rich sauce promise a satisfying meal you’ll savor with every delicious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Dairy:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Liquid and Soup:

• 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup beef broth

Noodles:

• 3 cups egg noodles, cooked and drained

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Ignite the oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C), preparing a welcoming environment for the hearty casserole.
2. In a robust skillet dancing over medium flame, transform ground beef with diced onions and aromatic garlic into a golden, fragrant medley, ensuring the meat is thoroughly cooked and onions become translucent.
3. Drain any lingering fat, then gracefully introduce cream of mushroom soup, velvety sour cream, robust beef broth, zesty Worcestershire sauce, and a harmonious blend of seasonings, stirring until ingredients waltz together seamlessly.
4. Tenderly fold in pre-cooked egg noodles, coating each strand with the luxurious beef mixture, creating a symphony of flavors and textures.
5. Elegantly transfer the creation into a generously greased 9×13 inch baking vessel, crowning the surface with a lavish sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese.
6. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbling, golden landscape.
7. Rescue from the oven, permit a brief moment of rest, then embellish with a delicate shower of fresh parsley before presenting this comforting masterpiece.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef to reduce fat content and create a healthier version of the casserole.
• Replace regular egg noodles with whole wheat noodles for added fiber and nutritional value.
• Consider using low-fat sour cream and reduced-sodium cream of mushroom soup to make the dish lighter.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a different protein option that’s lower in saturated fat.
• Add diced bell peppers or mushrooms to boost vegetable content and enhance the overall nutritional profile of the dish.
• Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together for an even more delicious meal.
• For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free noodles and check that all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 462 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg