Description
This hearty Beef Noodle Casserole combines tender egg noodles, savory ground beef, and a creamy mushroom sauce baked to perfection with melted cheddar cheese on top. It’s a comforting, family-friendly dish perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces egg noodles
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.75 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Noodles: Prepare the egg noodles according to the package directions until they are al dente. Drain them thoroughly and set aside.
- Brown Beef and Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until the onion softens. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep it from being greasy.
- Combine Sauces and Seasonings: Return the skillet to heat and stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything well until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Mix in Noodles: Add the cooked egg noodles into the skillet and gently fold them into the beef mixture until the noodles are evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly for uniform cooking.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the dish is heated through and the cheese on top is melted and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, let it sit for a few minutes to set, then serve warm and enjoy your comforting beef noodle casserole.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef for a different flavor.
- Add vegetables like peas or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Be careful not to overcook the noodles in step 2 as they will continue to cook in the oven.
