This cheesy sour cream noodle casserole is for you if you love saucy cheese and noodles. This dish is simple to make and so delicious. Noodles are coated in a marinara and cheesy sour cream sauce and topped with cheese then baked until gooey and golden brown.
Serve this casserole with a side salad for the perfect for those busy nights when you are rushed for time. Add this recipe to your weeknight meal rotation. Don’t miss out on this amazing dish!
This sour cream noodle bake recipe is simple to make, family friendly and a great recipe to that is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
There are a few varieties of this recipe, and you will find that ours has plenty of cheese. We were dairy farmers, so at our house, our whole family loves cheese. You will find lots of cheesy goodness in this dish.
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Recipe Variations
If you prefer a bit of a kick, adda teaspoon of Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes will do the trick. Diced green onion will add a little crunch and occasional snappy bite too. However, I have found this can overpower the dish, so when I have added green onions, ¼ cup works nicely with this recipe if you choose to add it.
Cheese. A sharp cheddar cheese, or cheese combination adds a lot of flavoring. Today, we used a blend of Monterey jack, cheddar, queso quesadilla, and asadero cheese. It is better to grate your own cheese; however, if you are short on time, go ahead and use the pre-shredded. If you want to change up the cottage cheese, you can use a ricotta cheese, cream cheese, or mascarpone. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top adds another layer of flavor.
Meat. If you can use a lean ground beef like a ground chuck. However, this recipe works well with ground chicken or ground turkey. Pork is a bit too greasy in this recipe for us.
Noodles. I like to use a hearty pasta such as penne, rotini, rigatoni, fusilli, or macaroni. However, this casserole takes on a lighter texture if you use farfalle or wide egg noodles. It all works. The most important thing to remember is not to overcook your pasta as it will cook more as it bakes in the sauce. Therefore, cook noodles to al dente.
Additional Seasonings. Sometimes, when I don’t have an onion available to go in this recipe, I will use 1 tablespoon of onion powder or garlic powder.
How to Make Cheesy Sour Cream Noodle Casserole
This recipe is quite simple to make. Just a little prep, pop it in the oven and serve.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
To save prep time, make the penne pasta according to the package directions until the noodles are al dente. That means that the pasta will be tender but have a little resistance in the middle when you bite into a noodle. Drain and set aside.
While the noodles are cooking, start the beef mixture. In a large skillet on medium-high heat, brown the beef and add the diced onion cooking until they are translucent. If you are able to, use a ground chuck. Using a lean beef will reduce the fat. Drain fat off the meat before continuing with the rest of the recipe.
Next add the tomato sauce, salt, and pepper to the meat mixture. Simmer while working on the pasta mixture.
In a separate medium bowl, add the cooked pasta, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Stir to combine.
Assemble in a prepared 9 X 13 baking pan or casserole dish.
To assemble, layer half the noodles mixture, next spoon half of the meat sauce on the pasta layer. Sprinkle half the grated cheddar cheese over the top. Repeat with the other half of the noodles, meat, and final layer of grated cheese.
Bake uncovered in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubble and the cheese is melted.
Make Ahead Sour Cream Noodle Bake
This is a great make ahead recipe. Just assemble the ingredients in your baking dish, cover and set into the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, uncover and bake an extra 10 minutes to allow for the colder ingredients from refrigeration. Note: make sure to use a casserole dish that can go from the refrigerator to the oven without breaking. I generally use a metal pan for this or an aluminum baking pan.
What to Serve with Cheesy Sour Cream Noodle Casserole
This recipe pairs well with a side salad, coleslaw, rolls, a slice of garlic bread, or simply prepared vegetables. Here are a few of our favorite side dishes that we serve with our saucy and cheesy casserole.
Old-Fashioned Three Bean Salad
Roasted Beet Salad with Beet Greens and Feta
Flavor Packed Cucumber Salad with a Little “BAM”
Simply the Best Candied Carrots
How to Store Cheesy Sour Cream Noodle Casserole
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Microwave 1 to 2 minutes until hot.
This casserole can be frozen as a whole casserole or individual servings. If freezing as a whole casserole, I like to use an aluminum foil container as it can safely transfer from the freezer to the oven. Individual airtight containers work well for freezing smaller portions of this dish.
It is a great recipe for a busy night or gifting to a friend in need.
Cheesy Sour Cream Noodle Casserole
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Pounds Ground Beef
- 1 Medium Onion Diced
- ¾ Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¾ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 24 Ounces Tomato Sauce Tomato and Basil, or Roasted Garlic flavor
- 8 Ounces Penne Pasta Cooked to al dente
- 8 Ounces Sour Cream 1 container
- 22 Ounces Cottage Cheese Small curd cottage cheese, 1 container
- 2 Cups Cheddar Cheese divided and grated, Shredded cheese options, Monterey jack, cheddar, queso quesadilla, and asadero cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- To save prep time, make the penne pasta according to the package directions until the noodles are al dente. That means that the pasta will be tender but have a little resistance in the middle when you bite into a noodle. Drain and set aside.
- While the noodles are cooking, start the beef mixture. In a large skillet on medium-high heat, brown the beef and add the diced onion cooking until they are translucent. If you are able to, use a ground chuck. Using a lean beef will reduce the fat. Drain fat off the meat before continuing with the rest of the recipe.
- Next add the tomato sauce, salt, and pepper to the meat mixture. Simmer while working on the pasta mixture.
- In a separate medium bowl, add the cooked pasta, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Stir to combine.
- Assemble in a prepared 9 X 13 baking pan or casserole dish.
- To assemble, layer half the sour cream mixture, next spoon half the meat sauce on the pasta layer. Sprinkle half the shredded cheese over the top. Repeat with the remaining noodles, meat, and final layer of cheese.
- Bake uncovered in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubble and the cheese is melted.
- Serve this easy weeknight meal with crusty bread, a side salad, or a simple vegetable side dish.
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Notes
How to Store Cheesy Sour Cream Noodle Casserole
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Microwave 1 to 2 minutes until hot. This casserole can be frozen as a whole casserole or individual servings. If freezing as a whole casserole, I like to use an aluminum foil container as it can safely transfer from the freezer to the oven. Individual airtight containers work well for freezing smaller portions of this dish. It is a great recipe for a busy night or gifting to a friend in need.Nutrition
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You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.