Description
This Italian Noodle Casserole is a comforting and hearty baked dish featuring tender egg noodles layered with a creamy cheese mixture and a savory ground beef tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Perfect for family dinners, it combines rich flavors and textures in an easy-to-make casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 2 Tbsp dried onion flakes
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 (8-oz) cans tomato sauce
Noodles
- 1 (8-oz) package medium egg noodles
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. Add crushed garlic, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried onion flakes, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and the tomato sauce. Simmer this mixture for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook Noodles: Cook the medium egg noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles well and set aside.
- Make Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: Combine the cooked noodles with the cream cheese mixture and spread this evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Pour and spread the meat sauce evenly over the noodle layer. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly on top of the meat sauce.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add chopped fresh basil or parsley to the meat sauce during simmering.
- Make sure to drain the cooked noodles well to avoid a watery casserole.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to make serving easier.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- If you want a crispier top, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking but watch carefully to prevent burning.
