Sour Cream Noodle Bake
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Posted: 08/28/24
Updated: 09/26/22
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This easy casserole will have everyone running to the table! Sour Cream Noodle Bake starts with tender egg noodles that are covered with sour cream, cheesy sauce and a tomato meat sauce, then topped with more cheese and baked.
This is sour cream noodle bake is an easy comfort food dinner for a chilly day! It has a lot of the same flavors as lasagna but with a tangy kick from sour cream. Plus, it’s made with four kinds of cheese! It’s hearty and delicious and your family will love it.
The flavors are so good too! It has a simple marinara meat sauce that is layered with different kinds of cheese with sour cream and tender egg noodles. Once baked, it’s a cheesy, hearty dinner that is perfect for weeknights. Truly, it’s a baking dish full of gooey goodness that the entire family will love.
Why You Will Love Sour cream Noodle Bake
- This is an easy casserole to prep – it’s ready to go in the oven in about 20 minutes! And it doesn’t take long to bake, either. You’ll have dinner on the table in about 40 minutes.
- You can even prep this sour cream noodle bake ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator. Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready for dinner! Or, share it with friends or family who could use a hot meal. It’s perfect for that.
- We love our comfort food and this sour cream noodle casserole is one of our favorites. It’s a winner across the board!
What do I need to make Noodle Bake with Sour Cream
- Egg noodles – You can use whatever type of pasta that you like best, but I prefer wide egg noodles that are curly. Cook the pasta al dente for best results.
- Ground beef – 90% lean or 80% lean will work for this recipe. Or you can use ground turkey or ground chicken too. Make it an Italian dish with some Italian sausage!
- Marinara sauce – Use your favorite jarred sauce to make it easy! But you can also make plenty of yummy homemade marinara sauce to be used in this recipe.
- Seasonings – Garlic powder and onion powder make this casserole taste so yum!
- Sour cream – You can use full-fat sour cream or 2%.
- Ricotta cheese and Cottage cheese – You can use all ricotta or all cottage cheese if you prefer, but I enjoy using both for flavor and texture.
- Shredded cheddar cheese – Mild, medium or sharp cheddar cheese all work great.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese – Use low-moisture cheese and not fresh mozzarella cheese.
- Parsley – I like to sprinkle this over the baked casserole for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
How to Make Sour Cream Noodle Bake
Boil: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and then cook the noodles until they are tender. Drain and set them aside.
Brown: Cook the ground beef in a large skillet until it’s no longer pink. Then add the marinara sauce and stir to combine.
Mix: Combine the seasonings, sour cream, ricotta cheese, and cottage cheese in a large mixing bowl. Add the cooked noodles to the sour cream mixture and toss to coat them evenly.
Layer: Spread half of the noodle mixture into the prepared baking pan. Top it with half of the meat sauce and sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top. Layer the rest of the noodles and meat mixture and then top the casserole with the mozzarella cheese.
Bake! Place the 9 x 13-inch baking dish in the oven and bake the casserole until the cheese is melted and it’s bubbling hot. Garnish with the parsley before serving.
Side Dish Ideas for Casseroles
Sour cream noodle bake pairs with lots of sides – here are some of our favorites!
Bread: For a really comforting meal pair this creamy noodle bake with some fresh garlic bread or dinner rolls.
Vegetables: Add a tossed green salad, air fryer broccoli, or some asparagus for a lighter side dish. Some green beans with bacon or glazed carrots would be delicious too.
How to Store Leftover Sour Cream Noodle Bake
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days. Or you can freeze them in a freezer container for several months. You can also carefully wrap the baking dish in plastic wrap or foil and freeze it directly in the dish!
Can you heat sour cream?
It is perfectly safe to heat sour cream. As long as you use it properly and mix it into a tasty dish like this creamy noodle bake, then you won’t have any issues.
What can I use if I don’t have sour cream?
If you do not have any sour cream on hand and would like to make this recipe, a great 1:1 swap is Greek yogurt. That will also add more protein to this dish!
Can you make it without meat?
Yes, you can omit the ground beef and make a no meat sour cream noodle bake! Just skip the meat browning step and layer the marinara sauce over the noodles.
You can also add lots of different ingredients to, even if you don’t omit the meat. Veggies like diced onion, mushrooms, green peppers and even extra spices would be great additions.
Can you make Sour Cream Noodle Bake ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble this easy sour cream noodle bake a day in advance. Then cover the pan with plastic wrap, and keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it.
Pro Tips for the Best Sour Cream Noodle Bake
- Don’t over cook the noodles when you boil them. They’ll continue to cook in the oven and you don’t want them mushy.
- Love lots of sauce? Feel free to add extra marinara sauce!
- Feel free to change up the flavor of this dish. Mix in some of your favorite seasonings and spices to add depth of flavor, spice, and so much more.
If you want an easy family-friendly meal, this sour cream noodle bake recipe needs to be in your dinner rotation. My family gobbles it up and yours will, too!
More Easy Recipe Ideas!
- Taco Stuffed Shells combine two favorite things in one dish: pasta and tacos! This is fun recipe to make for taco night.
- Another cozy pasta bake we love is Baked Ziti! It’s cheesy and hearty with a delicious meat sauce. It’s great to make-ahead, too.
- Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole is always a family favorite!
- Skip the pizza delivery and make my Crock Pot Pizza Casserole. It has all of the same flavors but served up as an easy pasta dish instead.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe
Quick and easy Sour Cream Noodle Bake loaded with egg noodles, cheese and a ground beef sauce
Video
Ingredients
- 8 ounces egg noodles
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup ricotta
- 1 cup small curd cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon parsley chopped, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the egg noodles according to package directions. Drain and keep warm.
- Cook the ground beef in a sauté pan until no longer pink, drain off excess grease and add the marinara sauce.
- In a separate bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, sour cream, ricotta, and cottage cheese. Add the noodles and toss to coat.
- Heat the oven to 350° and spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray.
- Spoon half the noodles evenly in the pan, spread with half the meat sauce and top with the cheddar cheese.
- Spread the remaining noodles over the cheese and top with remaining meat sauce and the mozzarella cheese.
- Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese melted.
- Remove and sprinkle with parsley.
Tips
Can You Make It Without Meat?
Yes, you can omit the ground beef and make a no meat sour cream noodle bake! Just skip the meat browning step and layer the marinara sauce over the noodles. Can You Make It Ahead?
You can assemble it a day in advance, cover the pan with plastic wrap, and keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it. Don’t Forget These Tips!
Yes, you can omit the ground beef and make a no meat sour cream noodle bake! Just skip the meat browning step and layer the marinara sauce over the noodles. Can You Make It Ahead?
You can assemble it a day in advance, cover the pan with plastic wrap, and keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it. Don’t Forget These Tips!
- Don’t over cook the noodles when you boil them. They’ll continue to cook in the oven and you don’t want them mushy.
- Love lots of sauce? Feel free to add extra marinara sauce!
- Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to five days. Or you can freeze them in a freezer container for several months.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 357kcal (18%), Carbohydrates: 25g (8%), Protein: 25g (50%), Fat: 17g (26%), Saturated Fat: 9g (56%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 100mg (33%), Sodium: 531mg (23%), Potassium: 506mg (14%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 3g (3%), Vitamin A: 678IU (14%), Vitamin C: 4mg (5%), Calcium: 241mg (24%), Iron: 3mg (17%)
Michael says
Very bland and boring. Much better recipies out there. Really don’t bother making this.
Sarah Hill says
Sorry this didn’t turn out to your liking!
Stephanie says
Thank you Julie, for this recipe! The hospital cafeteria where I worked used to have this on the menu. I haven’t been able to find a recipe until now.
We love it!!
Courtney says
So glad you found this recipe. Thank you!
Jeanne says
I used only cottage cheese as then I had all ingredients, extra seasonings because I always add more. It was delicious!!
Courtney says
Glad you were able to adjust to make this recipe. Thanks for commenting on and rating this recipe!