Classic Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake Recipe: Cozy Family Favorite

Sour cream beef noodle bake converts ordinary ingredients into a comforting culinary embrace that feels like a warm hug from your favorite kitchen companion.

Hearty and rich, this dish blends creamy textures with robust meat flavors that dance across your palate.

Home cooks adore how simple yet satisfying these ingredients become when carefully combined.

Weeknight dinners demand meals that come together quickly without sacrificing taste or nutrition.

Pasta lovers appreciate how noodles absorb the tangy, smooth sauce while tender beef adds substantial protein and depth.

Families gather around this casserole, sharing stories and creating memories with each delectable bite.

Guaranteed to become a household favorite, this recipe promises both convenience and incredible flavor.

Why Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake Is a Comfort Food Favorite

• Creamy Comfort Fusion: A delightful casserole that blends tender beef, silky noodles, and rich sour cream for a satisfying one-dish meal that hugs your taste buds.
• Speedy Weeknight Winner: Quick to assemble and bake, this recipe saves precious time while delivering a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
• Versatile Family Pleaser: Perfect for picky eaters and busy households, the classic combination of noodles and beef creates a foolproof meal that appeals to both kids and adults with its simple, comforting flavors.
• Effortless Cooking Technique: Minimal prep work and straightforward cooking steps make this dish accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, ensuring a stress-free and delicious dinner experience.

Ingredients Needed for Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake

• Egg Noodles: Classic pasta with a rich, eggy flavor that holds up well in casseroles.

• Ground Beef, Yellow Onion, Garlic: Flavorful protein base with aromatic vegetables for depth and richness.

• Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes: Provides moisture and tangy tomato flavor to the dish.
• Worcestershire Sauce, Smoked Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes: Adds complex, smoky, and spicy undertones to enhance overall taste.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and intensify flavors.

• Sour Cream, Cottage Cheese: Creamy components that add richness and slight tanginess.
• Parmesan Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Melt-friendly cheeses that provide a golden, crispy top and deep cheese flavor.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb to add color and subtle herbaceous notes.

How to Make Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake Step-by-Step

Step 1: Boil Noodles

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add egg noodles and cook according to package directions until perfectly tender. Drain noodles in a colander and quickly rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Gently toss with a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare Meat Mixture

• Onions
• Garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir and cook until onions become soft and translucent.

Step 3: Create Creamy Sauce

• Sour cream
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Tomato sauce

Mix the ingredients thoroughly until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine Noodles and Meat

Gently fold the cooked noodles into the meat mixture, ensuring everything is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.

Step 5: Bake and Melt Cheese

Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Helpful Tips for Cooking Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake

• Prevent Sticky Noodles: Toss cooked noodles with a light olive oil coating to ensure they remain separate and don't clump together during assembly.
• Maximize Flavor Depth: Let the meat mixture simmer longer to allow seasonings to fully develop and intensify the overall taste profile.
• Control Moisture Balance: Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the casserole watery and lose its creamy texture.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Sprinkle cheese evenly and allow it to melt completely during the final baking stage for a smooth, golden-brown topping.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole in advance and refrigerate, which allows flavors to meld and makes weeknight dinner preparation faster and easier.

How to Store and Reheat Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe dish. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out. For individual portions, microwave 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through for even heating.

What to Serve with Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: The tangy sour cream and rich beef perfectly match the light, slightly sweet notes of a chilled Riesling. Its acidity cuts through the dish's richness, creating a balanced and refreshing dining experience.
• Complement with Roasted Vegetable Side: Serve alongside roasted Brussels sprouts or glazed carrots to add a caramelized, earthy contrast to the creamy noodle bake. The vegetables' natural sweetness will enhance the savory beef flavors.
• Cool Down with Fresh Salad: A crisp garden salad with a zesty vinaigrette provides a bright, fresh counterpoint to the heavy, creamy texture of the noodle dish. The salad's acidity and crunch will cleanse the palate between bites.
• Enhance with Garlic Bread: Crusty garlic bread serves as an ideal accompaniment, helping to soak up the delicious sauce and adding a complementary garlicky note to the meal's overall flavor profile.

Simple Variations for Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake

• Creamy Greek Transformation: Swap sour cream with tangy Greek yogurt and add crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired version that boosts protein and introduces a zesty flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Incorporate diced green chiles, jalapeños, and replace half the beef with shredded chicken to create a vibrant, heat-packed casserole with southwestern flair.
• Mushroom Vegetarian Pivot: Substitute ground beef with a blend of sautéed portobello and button mushrooms, using vegetable broth instead of beef stock for a hearty meat-free alternative that maintains rich, comforting textures.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Option: Use rice noodles or gluten-free egg noodles to accommodate dietary restrictions while keeping the classic creamy consistency and savory essence of the original recipe.

Sour Cream Beef Noodle Bake Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty sour cream beef noodle bake brings comfort straight from midwest kitchens to dinner tables. Rich layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy sauce, and tender noodles create a satisfying meal you’ll savor with each delicious forkful.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 12 ounces (340 grams) uncooked egg noodles

Dairy and Cheese:

• 8 ounces (227 grams) sour cream
• 8 ounces (227 grams) small curd cottage cheese
• ½ cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 2 cups (226 grams) cheddar cheese, shredded

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• Red pepper flakes to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) diced tomatoes, drained
• Fresh parsley to garnish

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Instructions

1. Cook egg noodles in salted boiling water until perfectly tender, following package guidance for precise timing.
2. Immediately drain noodles and shock with cold water to prevent further cooking, preventing mushy texture.
3. Lightly coat noodles with olive oil, gently tossing to ensure they remain separate and glossy.
4. Preheat oven to create an optimal baking environment for the casserole.
5. Brown ground beef in a large skillet, breaking meat into fine crumbles for even distribution and consistent texture.
6. Season beef with robust spices, creating a deep, layered flavor profile that will permeate the entire dish.
7. Incorporate sour cream and tomato sauce into the seasoned meat, stirring until ingredients meld seamlessly.
8. Layer prepared noodles as the foundational base in a prepared baking dish.
9. Spread seasoned beef mixture evenly over noodles, ensuring complete coverage.
10. Sprinkle shredded cheese generously across the top, creating a golden, bubbling crust.
11. Bake until cheese melts completely and edges become crispy and lightly bronzed.
12. Allow casserole to rest briefly after removing from oven, enabling flavors to settle and stabilize.
13. Slice and serve warm, garnishing with fresh herbs for an aromatic finishing touch.

Notes

• Perfectly timed cooking prevents mushy noodles, ensuring a delightful texture in every bite.
• Cold water rinse stops the cooking process, maintaining the ideal al dente consistency.
• Olive oil prevents noodles from clumping, creating seamless layers in the final dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg