Sour Cream Noodle Bake

This is hands down the best Creamy Hamburger Noodle Casserole! Cooked egg noodles are tossed with sour cream and cream cheese, layered with a flavorful meaty tomato sauce, and topped with melty mozzarella cheese. This recipe was inspired by an old church cookbook recipe dated nearly 40 years ago.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Simmer meat sauce 20 minutes/Bake time 30 minutes 30

Total Time 1

Servings

Calories 471kcal

Author Anne Clark

Equipment

large pot for boiling noodles
strainer for the cooked noodles
large cast iron skillet with cover
large mixing bowl
measuring spoons
large casserole dish (instead of a cast iron skillet)

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 16-oz can diced tomatoes
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces uncooked egg noodles
1 cup sour cream
4 ounces cream cheese
8 ounces mozzarella cheese (save a little for garnish)

Instructions

In a large cast iron skillet, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain off the fat. Add the minced garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Simmer covered on low heat for 20 minutes. Taste test the sauce and add additional salt if needed. Hint: For a more flavorful sauce, simmer the meat sauce longer - up to 40 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350F. Boil and drain the egg noodles. Place the hot egg noodles in a large bowl and add the cream cheese and sour cream. Mix well. I like to cut the cream cheese into small squares first to help with the melting and mixing.
After the meat sauce has cooked, spoon most of it into another bowl, leaving a small layer at the bottom of the skillet.
Add half of the noodle mixture to the skillet.
Add half the ground beef mixture to the skillet.
Add half mozzarella cheese to the skillet.
Repeat with another layer of noodle mixture, beef mixture, and cheese. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
Plate and garnish with extra mozzarella cheese, if desired.

Notes

Prep Time: 10 minutes to prepare and cook the ground beef. 20 minutes for the sauce to simmer. 30 minutes bake time. Hint: For a more flavorful sauce, simmer the meat sauce longer - up to 40 minutes.
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Instead of a cast iron skillet, assemble the layers in a casserole dish or individual ramekins.

Make Ahead Instructions

This is a great make-ahead casserole. Assemble the casserole, but don't bake it. Cover it with foil and place it in the refrigerator the day before you plan to eat it. When you're ready to bake it, simply pop it in the oven as directed.

Sides to Serve With It

Serve Sour Cream Noodle Bake with your favorite side dishes. Since it's already filling, you can serve a lighter side such as collard greens or roasted carrots.

Nutrition