Name: Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 small sweet onion, small diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 15 ounce can tomato sauce; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 12 ounces egg noodles; 1 ½ cups small curd cottage cheese; ¾ cup sour cream; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; 8 ounces shredded Colby Jack cheese

There’s something irresistibly cozy about a baked pasta dish that’s creamy, cheesy, and just a little tangy. This Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe hits all those notes perfectly, making it a beloved weeknight dinner in my house. It’s simple but packs so much comforting flavor you’ll want to make it again and again.

The image shows a rectangular clear glass dish filled with a layered casserole. The bottom layer consists of pale yellow pasta noodles. Above the noodles, there is a thick reddish-brown meat sauce with chunks of meat. This is topped with a generous layer of melty orange and white cheese mixed together, covering the entire surface and softly spreading across the edges of the dish. The dish sits on a white marbled surface and a woman's hand is visible at the edge holding the dish. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What makes this Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe a winner for me is how straightforward it is, yet it tastes like you spent hours on it. It’s creamy, cheesy, and just the right balance of savory and tangy, which keeps everyone coming back for seconds (and sometimes thirds!).

Comfort Food Classic: It combines familiar ingredients into a creamy, hearty dish that's super satisfying on a chilly evening.
Easy to Make: Minimal prep and straightforward steps mean it’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a no-fuss family dinner.
Customizable: You can easily tweak the protein or cheese to suit your tastes or dietary needs without losing that signature creamy texture.
Great Leftovers: It reheats beautifully, making it a fantastic option for meal prep and easy next-day lunches.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in the Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe plays a role in building layers of flavor and texture. From the rich tomato sauce simmered with beef and onions to the creamy blend of sour cream and cottage cheese, it all comes together to create something more than just the sum of its parts.

Flat lay of ground beef in a natural mound, a small diced sweet onion with white and purple hues, two cloves of peeled garlic, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth tomato sauce, a small white ceramic bowl containing small curd cottage cheese, a small white ceramic bowl with creamy sour cream, a small white ceramic bowl of salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl of whole black peppercorns, a small white ceramic bowl of garlic powder, a small white ceramic bowl of onion powder, a neat pile of dry egg noodles, and a small mound of shredded Colby Jack cheese scattered naturally, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground Beef: Adds a hearty, savory base with just the right amount of richness.
Sweet Onion: Softens and sweetens as it cooks, balancing the savory beef.
Garlic: A little punch of aromatics that wakes up the whole dish.
Tomato Sauce: Brings acidity and moisture, keeping the bake from being too heavy.
Egg Noodles: Their shape and texture hold onto the sauce and cheese wonderfully.
Cottage Cheese: Gives a creamy tang that's lighter than ricotta but just as satisfying.
Sour Cream: Adds that signature tangy creaminess that defines this bake.
Cheese (Colby Jack): Melts beautifully into a gooey, flavorful layer — you can switch this up easily.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder fine-tune the flavor, ensuring every bite is just right.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe is how flexible it is. I often tweak it a bit depending on what’s in my fridge or what my family prefers. You can easily make it your own with some simple swaps and additions.

Variation: I like to swap ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter option — it still turns out juicy and flavorful, especially if you add a bit of Italian seasoning.
Cheese Swap: Mozzarella or sharp cheddar work great if you want a different cheese flavor or a bit more meltiness.
Go Veggie: Throw in some sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a veggie boost that blends right into the sauce.
Spice It Up: Adding crushed red pepper flakes or pepper jack cheese can give this dish a nice little kick if you’re in the mood for some heat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe

A close-up image shows a large scoop of layered casserole being lifted from a clear glass baking dish. The casserole has multiple layers, including a bottom layer of browned ground meat mixed with onions, a middle layer of white creamy sauce, and a top layer of melted shredded cheddar cheese that stretches in gooey strands as the scoop is pulled up. The meat layer is rich brown with some finely chopped onion pieces visible. The melted cheese is golden yellow and covers the top unevenly with some cheese dripping down the sides. The background is a white marbled surface with some blurred green leaves in the back, and a woman's hand is holding the spatula lifting the casserole photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Sauté Aromatics

Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat and adding your ground beef and diced sweet onion. As it cooks, break the beef into small crumbles with your spoon or spatula. It takes about 8-10 minutes for the beef to lose its pink color and the onions to soften nicely. You’ll know you’re ready for the next step when the pan smells like pure comfort. Be sure to drain any excess grease if there’s a lot to keep the bake from getting too oily.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Tomato Sauce, Simmer Away

Next, toss in the minced garlic and let it cook for just about 30 seconds until fragrant — don’t overdo it, garlic burns fast. Then stir in the tomato sauce along with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Bring everything up to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook uncovered for about 15 minutes. This simmer really helps marry the flavors and thicken up the sauce a bit.

Step 3: Cook the Noodles

While your sauce is working its magic, boil the egg noodles according to the package instructions and drain them well. I like to rinse mine briefly with warm water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking — that little step always helps me get perfect noodles every time.

Step 4: Mix the Creamy Noodle Filling

In a big sturdy bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir it until it’s smooth and well blended. Then fold in the drained noodles gently, so they’re fully coated without getting mushy.

Step 5: Layer and Bake

Grab your greased 9×13 baking dish and layer half of the noodles along the bottom. Spoon half the beef-tomato sauce over the noodles, then sprinkle about half of the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly on top. Repeat with the remaining noodles, sauce, and cheese layers. Pop it into your preheated oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes until everything is bubbling and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.

Top Tip

Having made this dish countless times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really bring the Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe to the next level and make sure it turns out flawlessly.

Don’t Overcook Your Noodles: Cook the egg noodles just until al dente — they’ll soak up moisture in the oven and soften without turning mushy.
Drain Excess Fat: After browning the ground beef, drain off excess grease to prevent the bake from becoming too oily or watery.
Layer Evenly: Try to spread each layer evenly — this helps everything cook uniformly and makes serving much easier.
Use Fresh Spices: Freshly cracked pepper and good-quality garlic powder make a noticeable difference in flavor.

How to Serve Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe

sour cream noodle bake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or green onions on top just before serving—it adds a pop of color and a little freshness that complements the creaminess perfectly. Sometimes a few thin slices of fresh tomatoes on the side brighten things up too.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs beautifully with something light and crisp like a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette or steamed green beans tossed with lemon zest and olive oil. Garlic bread is also a no-fail side if you want something indulgent to scoop up every cheesy bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For a family dinner where you want to impress but keep it cozy, I sometimes bake this in individual ramekins for personal portions—plus it makes for cute plating. On special occasions, topping with extra shredded cheese and broiling briefly adds a golden crust that gets everyone’s attention at the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I place any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and find they stay delicious for up to three days. Before reheating, I let them come to room temperature for about 20 minutes to help the bake warm evenly.

Freezing

This bake freezes really well! I usually portion it out into freezer-safe containers. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before baking again—adding a bit of extra cheese on top before reheating works wonders to refresh the texture.

Reheating

The best way I’ve found to reheat this dish is in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes covered with foil to prevent drying out, then uncover for a few minutes to melt and slightly brown the cheese. Microwave reheating works in a pinch but be sure to add a splash of water or milk to keep it creamy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of meat in this Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, pork, or even sausage work great. Just make sure to adjust your seasonings if your meat is already seasoned or flavorful.

Can I substitute cottage cheese with ricotta?

Yes, you can! Ricotta will give a slightly different texture—it’s creamier but less tangy and moist compared to cottage cheese. Either works well depending on your preference.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Definitely! It freezes beautifully for up to three months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in the oven for best results.

Can this recipe be made vegetarian?

Yes! Simply omit the meat and add extra veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach sautéed with the onions to boost the flavor and texture. You could also use store-bought meat alternatives if you like.

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t recommend this Sour Cream Noodle Bake Recipe enough. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a hug in food form—comforting, easy, and full of familiar flavors with a creamy twist. Give it a try and tweak it to your heart’s content; I promise it’ll become a go-to staple in your kitchen like it is in mine.