Sour Cream and Ground Beef Layered Casserole

Kittencalskitchen's Note:

This is a great casserole that I have been making for years, it's one of my family's favorite dishes. Feel free to adjust all ingredient amounts to suit taste. I usually season the ground beef/onion mixture with seasoned salt and add in some cayenne pepper for heat but that is optional.

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion , chopped
• 1 -2 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste) (optional)
• 2 -3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (or more or less if desired)
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• salt & freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese , softened
• 1 (8 ounce) carton sour cream
• 1 large green onion , finely chopped (can use 2 onions)
• 3 cups cooked fine egg noodles
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or more if desired)
• 1⁄8; teaspoon paprika

Directions:

1. Set oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef with onion, garlic and chili flakes (if using) over medium heat until meat is browned and no longer pink; drain fat then stir in the Parmesan cheese.
4. Add tomato sauce and sugar; bring mixture to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes stirring occasionally (season with salt and pepper about halfway through of cooking time).
5. Transfer meat mixture to a greased baking dish; set aside.
6. In a bowl beat cream cheese and sour cream at low speed until smooth.
7. Add in green onions then stir to combine.
8. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the ground beef in the dish.
9. Top with cooked noodles, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the noodles.
10. Sprinkle with paprika.
11. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Reviews

[Haley K]

This worked out pretty well. I used Fat free sour cream and cream cheese and reduced fat Colby cheese on top. I also used macaroni noodle and built it upside down so the noodles were on bottom, I'm not a fan of crunchy noodles. Finally, I made the whole casserole the night before so I could just pop it in the oven when I got home from work. I usually have most of this stuff on hand so I'm sure I'll make it again.

[Stacey Gengenbacher]

I liked the flavor and make ahead method. I have not yet added or changed anything but it will be a good one to experiment with different vegetables.

[Chef 'Diva Divine]

Yum...I used reduced fat cheeses and ground turkey to try and take from the fat, & added sliced fresh mushrooms & it was YYUUMMMMYYYY....rather quick and easy, and I LOVE those type of meals.