Cheesy Beef Noodle Casserole (Printable Version)
Hearty beef and noodle bake with melty cheddar cheese topping for family dinners.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 lb ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
05 - 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper (optional)
→ Pasta
06 - 12 oz egg noodles
→ Dairy
07 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
08 - 1 cup sour cream
→ Canned Goods & Sauces
09 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
10 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
→ Seasonings
12 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
13 - 1/2 tsp paprika
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Cooking Fats
15 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and red bell pepper (if using). Sauté for 3–4 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until thoroughly browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat from the pan.
05 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Add tomato paste, drained diced tomatoes, frozen peas (if using), dried Italian herbs, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking for 3–4 minutes to meld flavors.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in sour cream and condensed cream of mushroom soup until the mixture is uniform and well combined.
07 - Gently fold in half of the shredded cheddar cheese and the cooked egg noodles until evenly distributed throughout the beef mixture.
08 - Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese uniformly over the top.
09 - Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sour cream adds a tangy richness that makes this taste like it came from a fancy restaurant.
- Everything comes together in one skillet before baking, which means fewer dishes to wash.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully and somehow taste even better the next day.
02 -
- Undercook the noodles slightly or they will turn mushy during baking.
- Drain the diced tomatoes thoroughly or you will end up with a soupy casserole.
03 -
- Grate your own cheese rather than using pre-shredded bags for smoother melting.
- Let the casserole rest the full five minutes or it will be too loose to serve neatly.