Description

A hearty, cheesy baked casserole that layers seasoned ground beef with creamy noodles and melty cheese—comfort food made easy and perfect for feeding a crowd.

Ingredients

1½ lb ground beef

1 medium onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 can (10–14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained

1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

1 tsp Italian seasoning

8 oz wide egg noodles

1 cup sour cream

1 cup cottage cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 °F. Cook egg noodles until al dente, then drain and set aside.
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain fat. Add diced onion and cook until soft. Stir in garlic and cook 1 more minute.
Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomatoes with green chilies, salt, pepper, paprika, red pepper flakes (if using), and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 10 minutes.
In a bowl, mix sour cream, cottage cheese, Parmesan, and parsley. Fold in cooked noodles until coated.
In a 9×13″ baking dish, layer half of the noodle mixture, then half of the beef mixture. Repeat layers.
Top with shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra parsley.

Notes

Substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for beef.
Add chopped vegetables for extra nutrition.
Assemble ahead and refrigerate before baking.
Freeze portions for meal prep—reheat directly from frozen.
Use ricotta instead of cottage cheese for a creamier texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 520
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 100mg