Description
Pioneer Woman Beef Noodle Casserole delivers hearty comfort straight from Midwestern kitchens. Layers of tender beef, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 ¼ pounds (567 grams) ground chuck
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Dairy Components:
- 1 ¼ cups small curd cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) tomato sauce
- 8 ounces (227 grams) egg noodles
- ½ teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup sliced green onions, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Transform ground chuck into a rich base by sautéing in a large skillet over medium heat until thoroughly cooked. Eliminate excess grease, then infuse with tomato sauce, salt, and cracked black pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes, melding flavors together.
- Simultaneously prepare egg noodles in rapidly boiling water, cooking until they reach a tender al dente texture. Carefully drain and set aside.
- Create a creamy binding mixture by whisking sour cream and cottage cheese until smooth. Season with additional black pepper, then gently fold in the cooked noodles and thinly sliced green onions, ensuring even distribution.
- Construct the casserole by layering half the noodle mixture across the prepared baking dish. Generously spread meat sauce over the noodles, then sprinkle a generous layer of sharp cheddar cheese. Repeat the layering process, culminating with a final blanket of cheese.
- Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven, baking for approximately 20 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling surface. If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Ground chuck brings rich depth, but standard ground beef works perfectly fine when chuck isn’t available.
- Sour Cream Flexibility: Adjust the amount based on personal preference without compromising the dish’s overall deliciousness.
- Seasoning Simplicity Wins: Salt and black pepper form the flavor foundation, with optional Italian herbs or red pepper for adventurous palates.
- Green Onion Strategy: Start conservatively with 1/4 cup, gradually increasing to suit taste preferences and avoid overwhelming the dish.
- Assembly Creativity: Choose between elegant layering techniques or mixing ingredients for a more rustic presentation that still delivers incredible flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg