The Creamiest Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe for Comfort Food Fans

Comfort arrives with this hearty sour cream noodle bake that promises pure culinary bliss.

Layers of tender pasta meld seamlessly with rich, creamy ingredients.

Cheese bubbles tantalizingly across the golden surface, inviting you to savor each delectable bite.

Home cooks will adore how quickly this dish comes together in a single baking pan.

Simple ingredients transform into a crowd-pleasing meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot more delicious with this irresistible casserole.

You won’t be able to resist serving seconds of this creamy, cheesy masterpiece.

Why Sour Cream Noodle Bake Is Comfort Food at Its Best

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: A hearty, satisfying casserole that brings everyone together with its rich, creamy texture and classic flavors that remind you of home-cooked goodness.
• Minimal Prep Magic: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for busy weeknights, requiring just basic cooking skills and minimal kitchen equipment.
• Customizable Crowd-Maker: Easily adaptable for different tastes by swapping ground beef with turkey, adding extra vegetables, or adjusting cheese quantities to suit family preferences.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Uses affordable, readily available ingredients that stretch to feed multiple people without breaking the bank, making it an economical meal solution.

Ingredients for Sour Cream Noodle Bake

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides the main savory flavor for the casserole.

• Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream: Creamy ingredients that add richness and moisture to the dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: A sharp cheese that provides a salty, tangy topping for extra flavor.

• Tomato Sauce: A classic sauce that adds depth and moisture to the meat mixture.
• Wide Egg Noodles: A soft, tender pasta that serves as the base for this comforting casserole.

How to Prepare Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble ground beef into the pan and cook until completely browned. Drain away any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.

Step 2: Create Savory Meat Sauce

Pour tomato sauce into the cooked beef. Stir and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend together thoroughly.

Step 3: Mix Creamy Cheese Blend

• Cottage cheese
• Sour cream

Whisk these ingredients until they form a smooth, creamy mixture.

Step 4: Prepare the Noodles

Boil noodles in a large pot of salted water according to package directions. Once tender, drain completely in a colander.

Step 5: Build the Casserole Layers

• Half of the cooked noodles
• Half of the meat sauce
• Half of the cheese mixture

Step 6: Complete the Layering

Repeat the layering process with the remaining ingredients. Top the final layer with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden and the edges are bubbly.

Pro Tips for Creamy and Delicious Noodle Bake

• Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier dish.
• Replace cottage cheese with ricotta for a creamier texture and slightly different flavor profile.
• Experiment with whole wheat noodles to boost nutritional value and add more fiber to the meal.
• Enhance the dish's flavor by adding fresh herbs like basil or parsley on top before serving.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular pasta with gluten-free noodles and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.

Variations to Customize Noodle Bake

• Spicy Southwest Noodle Bake: Replace ground beef with spicy chorizo and add diced green chiles, black beans, and Mexican blend cheese for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Mediterranean Noodle Bake: Swap ground beef with roasted eggplant, zucchini, and spinach, use feta cheese instead of Parmesan, and incorporate herbs like oregano and basil.
• Creamy Chicken Alfredo Noodle Bake: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken, replace tomato sauce with Alfredo sauce, and mix in sun-dried tomatoes and fresh parsley.

Best Pairings for Sour Cream Noodle Bake

• Crisp Green Salad: Toss a light, tangy salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette to cut through the rich, creamy noodle bake.
• Bold Red Wine Companion: Select a medium-bodied red like Chianti or Zinfandel to complement the hearty beef and balance the dish's creamy texture.
• Fresh Garlic Bread: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce and add a crunchy contrast to the soft noodle layers.
• Roasted Vegetable Medley: Prepare a colorful side of roasted seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots to add nutritional balance and vibrant flavor.

Storage Guidelines for Noodle Bake

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover dish with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated completely through, removing foil for last 5 minutes to crisp top layer.

FAQs on Sour Cream Noodle Bake

• Can I substitute cottage cheese with another ingredient?

Yes, you can use ricotta cheese as a direct replacement for cottage cheese in this recipe.

• Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat or lentils for a vegetarian version.

• Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate before baking. Just add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.

• What type of noodles work best for this recipe?

Wide egg noodles or medium pasta shells are ideal, but you can also use regular pasta like penne or rotini.

Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty midwestern “sour cream noodle bake” brings comfort directly from grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Ground beef, creamy sauce, and tender noodles combine for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 cup (226 grams) cottage cheese

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
• 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Sauce:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) egg noodles
• 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) tomato sauce

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing a comfortable cooking environment for the casserole.
2. Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, thoroughly breaking down meat and eliminating excess grease through careful draining.
3. Infuse meat with rich tomato sauce, allowing flavors to meld together during a gentle 5-minute simmer.
4. Whisk cottage cheese and sour cream into a smooth, creamy mixture that will add luxurious texture to the dish.
5. Prepare pasta according to package directions, ensuring noodles are perfectly cooked and well-drained.
6. Create the first layer in a 9×13 inch baking dish by spreading half the noodles as a foundational base.
7. Distribute half the seasoned meat mixture evenly across the noodle foundation.
8. Spread half the cottage cheese and sour cream blend over the meat layer, creating a rich, creamy stratum.
9. Repeat the layering process with remaining noodles, meat, and cheese mixture.
10. Generously dust the top with Parmesan cheese, adding a crisp, savory finish.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until the casserole is heated through and cheese is lightly golden.

Notes

• Lean Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier, lower-fat version that maintains the dish’s hearty texture.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free egg noodles or zucchini noodles to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Cheese Flexibility: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or mozzarella to customize the flavor profile and add personal flair.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together, then bake when ready to serve for maximum convenience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 390 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 460 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg