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Italian Noodle Casserole with Ground Beef Recipe

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4.3 from 80 reviews

This Italian Noodle Casserole with Ground Beef is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Featuring tender egg noodles mixed with creamy cheeses and topped with a savory ground beef and tomato sauce, this casserole bakes to golden perfection with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser that combines rich flavors and satisfying textures in one delicious oven-baked meal.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp dried onion flakes
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 16 oz tomato sauce

Noodles

  • 8 oz egg noodles

Cheese Mixture

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup cottage cheese

Topping

  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking during baking.
  2. Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until it is no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat to keep the dish from being too greasy.
  3. Make Meat Sauce: Add minced garlic, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried onion flakes, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and tomato sauce to the cooked meat. Stir well and let it simmer for about 10 minutes over medium heat to blend the flavors.
  4. Cook Egg Noodles: While the sauce simmers, cook the egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles thoroughly and set aside.
  5. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Mix until smooth and evenly blended.
  6. Combine Noodles and Cheese: Add the cooked and drained egg noodles into the cheese mixture. Stir well until the noodles are fully coated with the creamy cheese blend.
  7. Assemble in Baking Pan: Transfer the creamy noodle mixture into the prepared 9 x 13-inch pan and spread it evenly across the bottom.
  8. Add Meat Sauce Layer: Pour the simmered meat sauce over the noodles, distributing it evenly to cover the entire surface.
  9. Top with Shredded Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly on top of the meat sauce layer for a rich, cheesy crust.
  10. Bake the Casserole: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Remove from oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a leaner option.
  • Make sure to drain excess fat from the cooked meat to prevent a greasy casserole.
  • Feel free to add vegetables like diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra nutrition and flavor.
  • This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; increase bake time slightly if baking from cold.
  • Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/italian-noodle-casserole-with-ground-beef-recipe/