Cheesy Beef and Noodle Casserole (Printable)
Tender egg noodles with seasoned ground beef in a creamy sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
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
→ Sauces & Canned Goods
09 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
10 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
→ Spices & Seasonings
12 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
13 - 1/2 tsp paprika
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Other
15 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Cook egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and red bell pepper (if using); sauté 3–4 minutes until softened.
04 - Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up with a spatula. Drain excess fat.
05 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste, drained tomatoes, peas (if using), Italian herbs, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 3–4 more minutes to combine flavors.
06 - Remove the skillet from heat and mix in sour cream and cream of mushroom soup until fully incorporated.
07 - Fold in half of the shredded cheddar cheese and the cooked noodles.
08 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the remaining cheddar cheese.
09 - Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sour cream creates an unexpectedly creamy sauce that nobody can quite put their finger on but everyone loves
- This is one of those rare casseroles that actually tastes better reheated the next day
- Everything cooks in one pan before hitting the oven meaning minimal cleanup on busy nights
02 -
- Draining both the beef fat and the canned tomatoes prevents this from becoming a soupy mess
- Letting the casserole rest for 5 minutes seems like forever when youre hungry but it makes serving so much easier
- The sour cream can curdle if you add it while the pan is still over direct heat, always remove from heat first
03 -
- Grating your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded makes a noticeable difference in melting and flavor
- A pinch of red pepper flakes in the beef mixture adds subtle warmth that balances the creaminess