Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 tsp of garlic salt
- 1 24-ounce jar of marinara sauce
- 12 ounces of egg noodles
- 2 c of sour cream
- 3 ounces of cream cheese
- 1/2 of a white onion chopped
- 2 c of grated Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven: Set it to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready to go once your casserole is assembled.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add your egg noodles. Cook until al dente (firm but cooked through), usually around 7-8 minutes. Drain and set them aside. (Tip: Drizzle a little olive oil over the noodles so they don’t stick together while you prep the rest.)
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and crumbly. Add garlic salt as the beef cooks for that burst of flavor. (Lesson learned: Don’t rush this step—browning really adds depth to the beef, so give it time.) Once it’s done, drain off any excess fat and stir in your marinara sauce. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will help thicken the sauce and deepen the flavor.
- Mix the creamy layer: In a medium bowl, mix together the sour cream, cream cheese, and chopped onion. I usually blend until smooth, but if you like some texture from the onion, you can leave it a bit chunkier.
- Layer the casserole: Grab your 9×13-inch baking dish and start with a layer of half your noodles. Follow that with the meat sauce, spreading it out evenly. Next comes the creamy layer—spoon it over the meat mixture and smooth it out. Finish with the rest of your noodles.
- Top it off with cheese: Sprinkle your shredded cheddar cheese all over the top. Be generous here because that cheesy crust is the best part!
- Bake: Pop the casserole in the oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. I usually wait for the edges to get a little golden for extra texture. Once done, let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
How to serve it (and make it look extra special)
When it comes to serving, I love plating this casserole with a simple side salad—something crisp and fresh to balance the richness of the dish. You could also sprinkle some fresh herbs, like parsley or basil, on top for a pop of color. For a fun presentation twist, try serving individual portions in mini casserole dishes!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner