Cheesy Beef and Noodle Casserole - Easy, Cheap and Delicious ❤️

cream of mushroom soup

🥗Healthier: homemade mushroom sauce

💰Cheaper: cream of chicken soup

Homemade sauce can lower sodium and preservatives.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: American cheese

Reduced-fat cheese cuts calories while still melting well.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated Romano cheese

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds umami flavor.

egg noodles

🥗Healthier: whole wheat pasta

💰Cheaper: elbow macaroni

Whole wheat pasta is higher in fiber.

Set heat to medium low and brown 1 pound of 80/20 ground beef in a skillet.

Remove excess grease from the browned ground beef.

Add 1/2 large finely chopped onion and 1/3 cup finely diced carrots to the skillet, stirring until onions are translucent.

Make a well in the mixture and add 2 large garlic cloves, cooking for about 1 minute to release flavor.

Add 1 cup diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 4 oz tomato sauce, and 1 cup beef broth to the skillet, stirring to combine.

Season with parsley, pepper, and a little salt, then let cook uncovered for about 7 minutes.

In a separate pot, cook 8 oz of extra wide egg noodles in boiling water for about 7 minutes or according to package directions for al dente.

Drain the noodles and place them in a large bowl.

Turn off the heat on the skillet and add the meat mixture to the bowl with the noodles.

Add 1 cup small curd cottage cheese, 1 cup sour cream, and some chopped parsley to the bowl, then toss everything together.

Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9x11 baking dish with non-stick spray.

Layer half of the noodle mixture in the baking dish, followed by half of the meat mixture, then the remaining noodles, and finally the rest of the meat mixture on top.

Spread 1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top.

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.

Remove the foil after 20 minutes to allow the top to become golden.

Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens