Beef Noodle Casserole: the best recipe for a hearty, delicious casserole

Comfort dishes like this easy beef noodle casserole are family favorites in many households. Rich and creamy, beef noodle casserole is a hearty main dish that will help keep the cold at bay during the cold winter months. Made with pasta, ground beef, tomato, sour cream, cottage cheese, and topped with cheddar, this tasty casserole is perfect for evenings when you want to serve up a cozy meal made with simple ingredients that don't skimp on flavor. Beef noodle casserole tastes like homemade lasagna, but with far less work involved. No wonder so many people love it!

How to Make Beef Noodle Casserole

One of the reasons why so many home cooks love making beef casseroles is how simple they are to prepare and cook. While you're preheating your oven, cook the pasta to al dente so it has the tender but firm texture that's so essential to a great-tasting noodle casserole. Drain it and set it off to the side.

Saute the ground beef for several minutes until the pink disappears, pour off excess fat, then mix in the tomato sauce, garlic salt, and pepper. Reduce the mixture just so it's slightly thickened. Combine the sour cream, cottage cheese, Parmesan, and green onions in a large bowl and stir in the pasta so it's coated with all that creamy goodness.

Pour half the pasta into a greased casserole dish, then ladle half beef mixture over it and sprinkle it with half of the cheddar cheese, then repeat. Bake your casserole for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling away and the casserole is heated through. Don't forget to garnish it with green onions or even some freshly chopped chives!

Tips for Making the Best Beef Noodle Casserole

– Don't overcook your pasta. You want it to be al dente. If you overcook it, the pasta can become mushy.

– You can use egg noodles instead of pasta for this recipe.

– Beef noodle casserole is a great make-ahead recipe. You can make it up to a day in advance, or prepare the beef and sour cream mixture up to 2 days in advance, then cook the pasta and assemble your casserole the day you plan on serving it.

– Give your beef noodle casserole some pizzazz by adding in vegetables, garnishing it with fresh herbs, or sprinkling in some chili flakes for a bit of heat.

– You can use different types of cheese like mozzarella, Swiss, Monterey Jack, or a combination of cheeses or swap out the tomato sauce for a can of soup. Cream of mushroom and French onion are especially tasty substitutions.

– For a creamier casserole, use ricotta instead of cottage cheese.

How to Store Beef Noodle Casserole

Cover leftover beef casserole with cling film and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Pasta doesn't tend to freeze well, but if desired, you can freeze beef noodle casserole for up to 1 month. Uncooked but assembled beef noodle casserole can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350F. Grease a casserole dish with cooking spray and set it to the side.

Cook the pasta to the package's directions for al dente, usually about 10 to 11 minutes. Drain.

Saute the beef over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, or until browned. Drain off excess fat. Pour in the tomato sauce, garlic salt, and pepper, stir, and let simmer for a few minutes until the mixture begins to thicken.

Mix sour cream, cottage cheese, Parmesan, and ½ cup of green onions in a large bowl. Add in the pasta and stir.

Pour half the pasta mixture into the casserole dish. Layer the beef mixture over the pasta, then sprinkle ¾ cup of the cheddar cheese over it. Repeat in the same order with the remaining pasta, beef, and cheese. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the casserole is heated through. Garnish with green onions and serve.

Notes

Use a 13×9-inch baking dish for your casserole.