Cheesy Beef and Noodle Casserole (Printable)

Hearty baked dish with egg noodles, seasoned beef, and melted cheddar—perfect for family dinners.

# What You'll 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 with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Cook egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly in a colander and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and red bell pepper if using; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking up with a spatula as it cooks. Drain excess fat from the pan.
05 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Add tomato paste, drained tomatoes, frozen peas if using, Italian herbs, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3–4 minutes to meld flavors.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Mix in sour cream and cream of mushroom soup until fully incorporated and smooth.
07 - Fold in half of the shredded cheddar cheese and the cooked noodles. Stir gently until evenly distributed throughout the beef mixture.
08 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese in a uniform layer.
09 - Bake for 25–30 minutes until cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly around the edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of tender noodles and savory beef feels like a hug in a baking dish
  • Everything comes together in under an hour with pantry staples you probably already have
02 -
  • Drain the diced tomatoes thoroughly or your casserole will end up watery no matter how long you bake it
  • Let the beef mixture cool slightly before mixing in the sour cream to prevent it from separating
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese from blocks instead of buying pre-shredded for the smoothest melting results
  • Let the casserole rest for the full 5 minutes so each serving holds its shape beautifully

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