The Story & Intro
Hi👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.
When I think about Classic Ground Beef Noodle Casserole, I think about warmth. I think about evenings when the kitchen smells like comfort, when everyone gathers around the table without checking their phones, when food slows life down just enough to breathe. Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.
The first time I made this Classic Ground Beef Noodle Casserole, I was still learning American comfort food. In France, we love casseroles too, but this one felt different. It felt generous, unfussy, and deeply comforting. One pan, simple ingredients, and so much love baked into every bite. Since then, this Classic Ground Beef Noodle Casserole has become one of my most requested family dinners.
I make this Classic Ground Beef Noodle Casserole when I want everyone to feel safe, full, and cared for. It’s the kind of dish that doesn’t try to impress it just shows up and does its job beautifully.
Why I Love Making This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s honest food. No tricks. No complicated steps. Just layers of flavor that come together effortlessly.
This Classic Ground Beef Noodle Casserole:
- Uses pantry staples
- Feeds a crowd without stress
- Reheats like a dream
- Makes the house smell incredible
- Brings everyone to the table
I also love how forgiving it is. I can swap ingredients, stretch it when guests show up, or make it ahead on busy days. Every woman deserves a recipe like this in her back pocket one that never fails her.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
Here’s what I use, and I’ll share my little secrets too 🤫
- Egg noodles – I always choose wide egg noodles because they hold the sauce beautifully.
- Ground beef – I prefer 80/20 for flavor. I drain excess grease but leave a little for richness.
- Onion – A yellow onion adds sweetness.
- Garlic – Always fresh. Always.
- Tomato sauce – Simple and smooth.
- Diced tomatoes – For texture and brightness.
- Sour cream – This is the secret to creaminess without heaviness.
- Cream cheese – Softened for a silky texture.
- Cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor.
- Salt & pepper – Don’t be shy.
- Paprika – Adds warmth.
- Italian seasoning – Ties everything together.
Little secret: I always let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking. It sets perfectly and slices beautifully.
How I Make It, Step by Step
I make this Classic Ground Beef Noodle Casserole with love and patience. Here’s exactly how I do it.
- I preheat my oven to 375°F.
- I cook the egg noodles in salted water until just al dente, then drain them.
- I brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.
- I add diced onion and cook until soft.
- I stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- I season with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- I pour in tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
- I let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, I mix sour cream and softened cream cheese until smooth.
- I fold the cooked noodles into the beef sauce.
- I gently stir in the creamy mixture.
- I transfer everything to a greased baking dish.
- I sprinkle cheddar cheese generously on top.
- I bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- I let it rest before serving.
Every step feels grounding. This is the kind of cooking that calms my heart.
How I Serve It at Home
At home, I serve this Classic Ground Beef Noodle Casserole with:
- A crisp green salad
- Steamed green beans
- Warm dinner rolls with butter
Sometimes I add a little chopped parsley on top, just to make it pretty. Most nights, I don’t bother it disappears too fast.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
This recipe was made for real life.
- Fridge: Keeps well for 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freezer: Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: I reheat in the oven at 350°F covered with foil or in the microwave.
Make-ahead tip: I assemble everything, cover it tightly, and bake the next day. Dinner feels effortless.
100-Word Short Version
This Classic Ground Beef Noodle Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Tender egg noodles, savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and a creamy cheese layer come together in one cozy, satisfying dish. It’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and perfect for feeding a hungry family. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a gathering, this casserole delivers warmth, flavor, and nostalgia in every bite. It reheats beautifully and freezes well, making it a reliable recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Recipe Card
⏱️ Time
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook noodles until al dente and drain.
- Brown ground beef with onion.
- Add garlic and seasonings.
- Stir in tomato sauce and tomatoes.
- Mix sour cream and cream cheese.
- Combine noodles, beef, and cream mixture.
- Transfer to baking dish.
- Top with cheese.
- Bake until bubbly and golden.
📝 Notes
Use lean beef if preferred. Add mushrooms or bell peppers for extra veggies.
🍽️ Nutrition
Approximate per serving:
Calories 480 | Protein 28g | Fat 25g | Carbs 35g | Comfort level 💯
Classic Ground Beef Noodle Casserole
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This classic ground beef noodle casserole is the definition of comfort food. Made with tender egg noodles, savory ground beef, a rich tomato sauce, and a creamy cheese layer, it’s an easy family dinner that warms the heart and fills the table.
Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook egg noodles until al dente and drain.
- Brown ground beef with diced onion in a skillet.
- Add garlic and seasonings.
- Stir in tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
- Mix sour cream and cream cheese until smooth.
- Combine noodles, beef mixture, and cream mixture.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until bubbly.
Notes
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. You can add vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Conclusion
This Classic Ground Beef Noodle Casserole reminds me why I fell in love with cooking in the first place. It’s simple, generous, and full of heart. When I pull this dish from the oven, I feel like I’m offering more than dinner I’m offering comfort, care, and a moment of togetherness. I hope it brings the same warmth to your table that it brings to mine 🤍