Ground Beef Casserole

This Ground Beef Casserole is a classic “comfort food” bake that feels like a cross between a beef stroganoff and a hearty pasta bake. The combination of cream cheese and sour cream creates a hidden layer of richness that perfectly balances the tomato-based meat sauce.

Ground Beef Casserole

Ingredients

How to Make Ground Beef Casserole:

Step 1: Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 1 lb of ground beef and cook until browned and crumbly. Carefully drain off any excess grease.

Step 2: Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the 1 teaspoon of garlic salt, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and the 2 cans of tomato sauce. Mix well, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Once finished, remove from the heat and cover.

Step 3: Boil the Noodles: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the 8 oz of egg noodles until al dente. Drain and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process.

Step 4: Prep the Oven and Cream Layer: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. In a mixing bowl, blend the 1 diced onion, 1 cup of sour cream, and 3 oz of cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Layer the Casserole: Arrange half of the cooked noodles in the bottom of the dish. Spread half of the sour cream mixture over the noodles, then top with half of the beef sauce. Repeat the layers once more.

Step 6: Top and Bake: Sprinkle the 1/2 cup (or more!) of sharp Cheddar cheese generously over the top. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the edges are golden.