Cheesy Beef and Noodle Casserole (Printable version)
A comforting casserole with tender noodles, savory ground beef, and melty cheddar topping perfect for family dinners.
# 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
# How to make it:
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 tips:
01 -
- Its the kind of dinner that secretly gets better overnight, so leftovers become something you actually look forward to
- The combination of tender noodles, seasoned beef, and that crispy cheese crown hits every comfort button in one bite
02 -
- Draining those diced tomatoes thoroughly is non negotiable, I learned this the hard way when my first attempt turned into soup
- Undercook your noodles slightly in the boiling water, theyll absorb some of the sauce while baking and turn out perfectly
03 -
- Grate your own cheese from a block, the anti caking coating on pre shredded cheese prevents it from melting smoothly
- Use freshly ground black pepper and coarse kosher salt for the best seasoning distribution