Description

A warm, cheesy, and hearty beef noodle casserole perfect for easy, cozy family dinners. This one-pan dish combines tender noodles, savory ground beef, and a creamy cheese sauce for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
12 ounces egg noodles (or any short pasta like rotini or shells)
1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 150g)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups low sodium beef broth
14 ounces canned diced tomatoes
½ cup sour cream
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (reserve ½ cup for topping)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup frozen peas or chopped mushrooms (optional)

Instructions

Step: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Step: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
Step: Stir in beef broth, diced tomatoes with juices, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until flavors meld and liquid reduces slightly.
Step: Remove skillet from heat. Stir in sour cream and 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy.
Step: Add cooked noodles to the beef mixture and gently toss to coat. Pour mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
Step: Sprinkle reserved ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole.
Step: Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Step: Let casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook noodles as they will continue cooking in the oven. Drain excess beef fat for a cleaner flavor. Sharp cheddar provides the best depth of flavor. This dish can be assembled and refrigerated for up to 24 hours; add 5-10 minutes to the bake time if chilled. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of beef broth; if too thin, simmer longer on the stove.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6th of casserole
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 520 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 26 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg

Keywords: beef noodle casserole, easy family dinner, comfort food, cheesy casserole, ground beef recipe, one-pan meal