Ground Beef Casserole

Ingredients

• 12 oz egg noodles
• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Follow each step in order. The directions below are written so a beginner can understand what to do, what to look for, and when to move on to the next step.

1. Step 1.Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish, then bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the egg noodles.
2. Step 2.Cook the egg noodles until about 1 minute shy of fully al dente, drain them thoroughly, and set them aside so they do not become overly soft during baking.
3. Step 3.Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned and at least 160°F, breaking it into small crumbles.
4. Step 4.Drain excess fat if necessary, add the diced onion, and cook for 4 minutes until softened; stir in the garlic and Italian seasoning for another 30 seconds.
5. Step 5.Add the tomato sauce and drained diced tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for about 5 minutes until the mixture is flavorful and no longer watery.
6. Step 6.Remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool for 2 minutes, then stir in the sour cream until the sauce becomes evenly creamy without exposing the dairy to a hard boil.
7. Step 7.Fold the drained noodles into the beef mixture along with 1 cup of the cheddar, turning gently until the noodles are evenly coated and the cheese is distributed throughout.
8. Step 8.Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spread it into an even layer, and sprinkle the remaining cheddar across the top from edge to edge.
9. Step 9.Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the casserole is bubbling at the edges and the cheese is fully melted, then rest for 5 minutes so portions hold together better.
10. Step 10.Serve the casserole hot with a green salad or steamed vegetables, using a wide spoon or spatula to include noodles, beef, sauce, and melted cheese in every portion.