Simple Creamy Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe for Cozy Nights

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering beef noodle casserole that promises pure satisfaction.

Tender beef, melted cheese, and perfectly cooked noodles create a delectable combination that will have everyone asking for seconds.

The rich, creamy sauce binds each ingredient into a hearty meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

Layers of flavor meld together seamlessly, offering a delightful twist on classic comfort cuisine.

Home cooks appreciate how simple yet impressive this dish can be, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or potluck gatherings.

Packed with savory goodness and guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters, this casserole transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this irresistible culinary creation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 7

Everything You Need for Beef Noodle Casserole

• Ground Beef: Provides hearty, rich base flavor and protein punch; choose lean cuts for less grease.
• Onion: Adds deep, sweet undertones and aromatic complexity; select firm, glossy onions.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, zesty kick; opt for fresh cloves with no sprouts.

• Cottage Cheese: Creates silky, tangy texture; pick full-fat version for maximum creaminess.
• Sour Cream: Enhances richness and adds subtle tanginess; fresh, smooth consistency is key.
• Shredded Cheese: Delivers melty, golden topping; select sharp cheddar for bold flavor.

• Tomato Sauce: Brings vibrant, slightly acidic foundation; choose high-quality, smooth sauce.
• Egg Noodles: Provides comforting, tender base; seek wide, fresh noodles for best texture.
• Cooking Spray: Ensures easy dish release and prevents sticking; use neutral, non-stick variety.

Utensils for Making Comfort Food With Ease

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning ground beef and sautéing onions and garlic.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Perfect for assembling and baking the entire casserole.
• Large Bowl: Used for mixing cottage cheese, sour cream, and seasonings.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, pepper, and other seasonings.
• Colander: Needed for draining cooked egg noodles.
• Cooking Spray: Prevents the casserole from sticking to the baking dish.

How to Cook Beef Noodles From Start to Finish

• Sizzling Beef Base

Brown ground beef with diced onions in a skillet until meat turns crispy and golden. Sprinkle minced garlic for an aromatic boost, letting flavors meld together for a few moments.

• Savory Sauce Creation

Pour in rich tomato sauce and season with a dash of salt and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently, developing deep, complex flavors that will make your taste buds dance.

• Noodle Preparation

Cook egg noodles until they reach perfect tenderness, then drain them carefully, ready to embrace the creamy cheese mixture.

• Creamy Cheese Blend

Whisk together cottage cheese, sour cream, and subtle seasonings until smooth and luxurious. Fold in the cooked noodles, ensuring each strand gets coated in the silky mixture.

• Layered Deliciousness

In a baking dish, create beautiful layers starting with noodle-cheese mixture, then meat sauce, topped with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese. Repeat the layers for maximum flavor impact.

• Golden Bake

Slide the casserole into a preheated oven and bake until the cheese turns bubbly and slightly golden. The aroma will fill your kitchen with irresistible warmth and comfort.

Tips for Richer Sauce and Tender Noodles

• Cheese Swap Sensation: Experiment with different cheese varieties like mozzarella, cheddar, or pepper jack to add unique flavor profiles and exciting taste dimensions to your casserole.
• Protein Power Move: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian-friendly alternative that maintains the dish's delicious essence.
• Veggie Boost Brilliance: Enhance nutritional value by mixing in chopped spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms during the meat cooking stage, creating a more colorful and nutrient-packed meal.
• Spice Adventure: Kick up the heat by adding red pepper flakes, a dash of cayenne, or diced jalapeños to the meat sauce for those who love a spicy twist on classic comfort food.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking stage, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the original baking time.

Serving Ideas for Beef Casserole Meals

• Comfort Food Companion: Pair this hearty casserole with a crisp green salad to balance the rich, creamy texture and add a fresh crunch to your meal.
• Veggie Boost: Roast some broccoli or green beans with a sprinkle of garlic and olive oil as a nutritious side that complements the beef's robust flavor.
• Fresh Finishing Touch: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives right before serving to add a bright, herbal note and a pop of color to the dish.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Serve with a medium-bodied red wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon to enhance the savory beef and creamy elements of the casserole.

Best Storage for Noodle Casseroles

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The casserole maintains its delicious flavor and texture when stored properly.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual portions or the entire casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated or thawed casserole in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent excessive drying. Add a splash of milk or broth to restore creamy texture if needed.
• Meal Prep Trick: Assemble the casserole in advance and refrigerate unbaked for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 5-10 extra minutes to cooking time.

Hearty Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy beef noodle casserole delivers comfort on a plate with rich, cheesy layers of tender pasta and seasoned ground beef. Hearty ingredients blend perfectly, promising a satisfying meal families will eagerly devour when gathering around the dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
• 12 oz (340 g) egg noodles
• 15 oz (425 g) tomato sauce
• 8 oz (227 g) shredded Colby Jack cheese
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) small curd cottage cheese
• ¾ cup (180 ml) sour cream
• 1 small sweet onion, small diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray for seamless release.
2. Meat Transformation: In a capacious skillet over medium-high heat, metamorphose ground beef with diced onions, fragmenting the protein while caramelizing the vegetables until fully browned and tender, roughly 8-10 minutes.
3. Flavor Infusion: Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, stirring momentarily to unleash its aromatic potential and enhance the foundational flavor profile.
4. Sauce Development: Integrate tomato sauce and essential seasonings, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and develop complex flavors through intermittent stirring for approximately 15 minutes.
5. Noodle Preparation and Dairy Fusion: Concurrently cook egg noodles per package instructions, then enrobe them in a velvety mixture of cottage cheese, sour cream, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, ensuring comprehensive and luxurious coating.
6. Layered Assembly: Strategically construct the casserole by spreading a foundational layer of noodles, cascading with meat sauce, and generously dispersing shredded cheese; repeat the layering process to build depth and complexity.
7. Culinary Transformation: Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven, allowing the ingredients to meld and the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece for 20 minutes.
8. Serving Finale: Retrieve the aromatic casserole and present immediately, capturing its peak temperature and textural harmony.

Notes

• Meat Browning Tip: Ensure ground beef is thoroughly browned and crumbled for even texture and maximum flavor development.
• Noodle Cooking Alert: Slightly undercook egg noodles during boiling, as they’ll continue cooking in the oven to prevent mushy texture.
• Cheese Melting Strategy: Use freshly shredded cheese for superior melting and more vibrant flavor compared to pre-packaged varieties.
• Dairy Blend Trick: Whisk cottage cheese and sour cream until completely smooth to create a creamy, lump-free sauce that coats noodles evenly.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg