Beef Noodle Casserole (Printable version)
Tender beef and egg noodles in a savory tomato-cheddar bake, ready in under an hour for family dinners.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 bell pepper, diced
→ Sauces and Liquids
05 - 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
06 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
07 - 1/2 cup beef broth
→ Pasta
08 - 8 ounces egg noodles
→ Dairy
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1/2 cup sour cream
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnish
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Set oven to 375°F. Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring water to a boil. Cook egg noodles according to package instructions, then drain and reserve.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat from the pan.
04 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, and bell pepper to skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened.
05 - Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juices, beef broth, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Simmer on medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
06 - Remove pan from heat. Add cooked egg noodles and sour cream. Mix until noodles are evenly coated with sauce.
07 - Spread mixture evenly into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the surface.
08 - Place dish in preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven and let stand briefly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley prior to serving, if desired.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- This casserole is secretly even better the next day—those flavors meld in the most wonderful way.
- It only takes one pan and one baking dish, making clean-up blessedly quick.
02 -
- Overcooked noodles soak up too much sauce and turn mushy—stick with barely al dente.
- Browning the beef until you hear a sizzle gives the dish its deep, savory base.
03 -
- Layering the cheese under and over the noodles means every forkful is gooey.
- A bit of extra garlic or a pinch of smoked paprika makes your kitchen smell extraordinary.