This Sour Cream Noodle Bake is sure to become a family favorite with the gooey cheese, hearty beef, and tomato sauce. It’s easy to make and is packed with delicious flavors. Plus, it’s perfect for a weeknight family dinner or potlucks and gatherings.
Just brown your beef and add the tomato sauce with seasonings, cook your pasta and add the cottage cheese and sour cream. Layer in a casserole dish with shredded cheese, bake until hot and bubbly.
This easy weeknight meal is a great recipe for the whole family. They just might ask for it again and again. Even picky eaters love this dish.
How to Make Sour Cream Noodle Bake
Here are the directions with a bit more detail and pro tips for easy success.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 1. Begin by boiling water in a large kettle. Add the penne pasta and cook noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain, and add to a medium bowl. Pro Tip. How to test for al dente. Al dente pasts will have some resistance, yet the pasta will still be tender when you bit into it.
Step 2. While the pasta is cooking, start working on the beef mixture. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, add the diced onion, and cook until translucent. Pro Tip. Drain fat off the meat before adding the tomato sauces.
Step 3. Add the tomato sauces. I used two jarred sauces for lots of extra flavor: tomato and basil, and roasted garlic.
Step 4. Add the seasonings, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Simmer while working on the pasta mixture.
Step 5. Add the sour cream and cottage cheese to the cooked pasta in the large bowl. Stir to combine.
Step 6. Assembly. In a prepared 9 x 13 baking dish, add half the pasta sour cream mixture, next spoon half of the meat sauce over the pasta layer, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Repeat the process layering on the rest of the pasta mixture, beef mixture and the final layer of cheese.
Step 7. Bake uncovered in a 375 degree oven for 40 minutes until the cheese is melted and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Pasta Casserole Recipe Variations
Ground Beef. This recipe uses lean ground beef; however, it works well for ground chicken, and ground turkey too. However, for us, the ground beef provides a richer and deeper flavor profile.
Cheese. This recipe uses cottage cheese; however, you could use ricotta cheese, mascarpone, Greek yogurt, or softened cream cheese. They all combine with the sour cream well to make a delicious creamy sauce for the pasta. We like using cheese blends as it provides so much flavor; however, grated cheddar cheese or mozzarella taste great on their own too. Top it off with parmesan cheese and it would be more of an Italian flavored dish.
Pasta. We love using a hearty pasta like the Penne. However, any type of noodle will work, spaghetti, rotini, elbow, or wide egg noodles taste great with this cheesy saucy dish.
Vegetables. This recipe fills the 9 x 13 to the top. Therefore, unless you plan on using more than one baking dish, it will not fit in the pan. However, if you are cooking for a crowd, by all means, add some frozen vegetables such as a California blend, cauliflower, or broccoli and divide the casserole between two casserole dishes.
Seasonings. If you prefer more seasoning in this recipe a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder are great options. Fresh sliced green onions as a final topping will add an occasional crunch with a bite.
Make Ahead Pasta Casserole
Make this dish a day ahead of time. Just assemble, cover, and store in the refrigerator in a baking container that is safe to go from the refrigerator to the oven. When baking add extra time to allow for the cooler temperature of the casserole when starting; approximately 10 minutes.
What to Serve with Sour Cream Noodle Bake
A delicious salad, vegetables, and a slice of garlic bread pair nicely with this comfort food recipe. Here are a few of our favorite meal combinations. Super easy and a great choice for a dinner party, busy weeknight meal, or a potluck.
Chinese Slaw Recipe with Ramen Noodles
Sweet and Tangy Cilantro Lime Slaw
Easy Roasted Asparagus in Air Fryer Recipe
Slow Cooker Cheesy Vegetable Casserole
Other Yummy Casseroles
There is nothing quite like a good casserole recipe. They are simple to make, and always taste delicious. Plus, they are perfect for feeding a large crowd. If you are looking for some new casserole recipes to try out, then you have come to the right place.
Overnight Eggs Benedict Casserole
If you love pasta bakes, here are two of our family favorites.
Amazing Rotisserie Chicken Casserole
Sloppy Joe Casserole with Noodles
How Long Does Sour Cream Noodle Bake Last in the Refrigerator?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 4 months.
Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Ground Beef
- 1 Medium Onion Diced
- ¾ Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¾ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes Optional
- 24 Ounces Tomato Sauce Tomato and Basil flavor
- 24 Ounces Tomato Sauce Roasted Garlic flavor
- 16 Ounces Penne Pasta Cooked to al dente
- 8 Ounces Sour Cream
- 22 Ounces Cottage Cheese Small curd cottage cheese
- 2 Cups Shredded Cheese divided, I used Mexican blend; Monterey jack, cheddar, queso quesadilla, and asadero cheese
Instructions
- Step 1. Begin by boiling water in a large kettle. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain, and add to a large bowl. Pro Tip. How to test for al dente. Al dente pasts will have some resistance, yet the pasta will still be tender when you bit into it.16 Ounces Penne Pasta
- Step 2. While the pasta is cooking, start working on the beef mixture. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, add the diced onion, and cook until translucent. Pro Tip. Drain the fat off the meat before adding the tomato sauces.2 Pounds Ground Beef, 1 Medium Onion
- Step 3. Add the tomato sauces. I used two jarred sauces for lots of extra flavor: tomato and basil, and roasted garlic.24 Ounces Tomato Sauce, 24 Ounces Tomato Sauce
- Step 4. Add the seasonings, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Simmer while working on the pasta mixture.¾ Teaspoon Kosher Salt, ¾ Teaspoon Black Pepper, ¼ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- Step 5. Add the sour cream and cottage cheese to the cooked pasta in the large bowl. Stir to combine.8 Ounces Sour Cream, 22 Ounces Cottage Cheese
- Step 6. Assembly. In a prepared 9 x 13 baking dish, add half of the noodles, next spoon half the meat mixture over the pasta layer, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Repeat the process layering on the rest of the pasta mixture, beef mixture and the rest of the shredded cheese.2 Cups Shredded Cheese
- Step 7. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes until the cheese is melted and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
