Beef Noodle Casserole (Printer-friendly)
Baked beef and egg noodles in savory tomato sauce with cheddar—simple, hearty family dinner ready in under an hour.
# 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 (Optional)
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - In a large saucepan, prepare egg noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until thoroughly browned. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
04 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, and bell pepper to the beef. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables become softened.
05 - Stir in tomato sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, beef broth, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Simmer mixture for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Add cooked egg noodles and sour cream to the tomato-beef mixture. Mix until evenly coated and combined.
07 - Transfer the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the surface.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The melted cheddar creates a golden, bubbling top thats almost impossible to resist stealing forkfuls from before serving.
- This is one of those utterly forgiving dishes that always welcomes substitutions and tweaks depending on what you have on hand.
02 -
- One time I rushed and overcooked the noodles—they turned mushy under all that glorious sauce, so now I take them off the heat early.
- Letting the casserole cool for a few minutes before cutting makes serving neat squares much easier.
03 -
- Rub dried herbs between your palms before adding—they release more flavor and aroma this way.
- Shredding your own cheese, though a little extra effort, gives you that gooey, stringy melt that makes every bite irresistible.