Beef Noodle Casserole (Printable)
Savory baked dish with ground beef, egg noodles, tomato sauce and melted cheddar—ideal for weeknight meals.
# What You 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
# Steps:
01 - Set oven temperature to 375°F and allow to fully preheat.
02 - Boil egg noodles in a large saucepan as directed on packaging, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until evenly browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off the excess fat.
04 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper to the cooked beef. Sauté until vegetables are softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
05 - Incorporate tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juices, beef broth, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Add cooked noodles and sour cream, folding mixture until evenly combined.
07 - Transfer the beef and noodle mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread evenly and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese is fully melted.
09 - Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top before serving, if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The crisped cheese layer on top turns into the kind of crust everyone fights for.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day—if you’re lucky enough to have any.
02 -
- Forgetting to drain the fat from the beef once resulted in a greasy casserole—learn from my mess!
- Stirring in sour cream only after turning off the heat keeps it velvety and smooth.
03 -
- Salting the noodle water makes a real difference in flavor—you’ll taste it in every bite.
- Lightly greasing your baking dish prevents any precious cheesy bits from sticking behind.