This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This delicious, creamy Sour Cream Noodle Bake recipe whips up in no time and is a comfort food dish you’ll want to make again and again!

Sour Cream Noodle Bake is more than just a pasta dish – it’s the ultimate comfort food. This creamy, cheesy casserole combines perfectly cooked egg noodles with flavorful ground beef, marinara sauce, and rich sour cream, all baked to golden perfection. The result is a meal that’s both hearty and satisfying, and guaranteed to please the whole family.

Serve this easy noodle casserole with a peppery Arugula Salad or Steakhouse Chopped Salad for a big comforting meal your family will love.

Pasta, cheese and sauce in a casserole with a wooden spoon.
Pin this recipe for later!Pin This

Why We Love This Recipe

  • A Timeless Classic – This Sour Cream Noodle Bake recipe is a comforting classic, perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a delicious dinner on the table fast.
  • Quick and Easy – But don’t let its simplicity fool you—while easy to prepare, the flavors in this dish are anything but basic.
  • Complimentary Flavors – The savory ground beef, the tangy sour cream, and the melted cheese all come together to create a taste sensation that’s nothing short of spectacular.

Ingredients

  • Egg Noodles – Wide, and cooked to al dente.
  • Lean Ground Beef – I opt for 15% fat or lower to keep the final dish from becoming greasy.
  • Green Onions – These are much milder than traditional onions, and I wanted to add a little flavor without overpowering the flavors in the dish.
  • Garlic – minced fresh (preferred) or from a jar.
  • Marinara Sauce – 4 cups is a 32 ounce jar. Sometimes you can find this size at the grocery store, but if not, you can use about what you need from two jars and freeze the leftovers, or make your own Homemade Marinara Sauce.
  • Sour Cream
  • Seasonings – Garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
  • Ricotta Cheese – Use whole milk or skim, the choice is yours.
  • Mozzarella Cheese – Freshly grated off the block.

How To Make Sour Cream Noodle Bake

See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions

Cook egg noodles according to package directions.

cooked ground beef in a skillet.
ground beef mixed with tomato sauce in a skillet.

Cook ground beef with the green onion and garlic in a large skillet. Drain off the fat and stir in marinara.

Egg noodles in a bowl with sour cream.

In a small bowl, whisk sour cream with the seasonings and a little bit of hot water.

Mix egg noodles with the ricotta cheese and the sour cream mixture.

Creamy egg noodles in a casserole dish.
Creamy egg noodles and meat with marinara in a casserole dish.
Lots of shredded mozzarella in a casserole dish.

Layer the creamy noodles, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese in a casserole dish.

Cover with foil and bake until warmed through and melty.

Stringy cheese from a wooden spoon with a casserole.

Recipe FAQs

How do you store leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can you freeze the finished dish?

Yes, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What kind of noodles should I use?

Egg noodles are traditionally used, but you can use any pasta you prefer.

Can I add vegetables?

Absolutely! Adding vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini can increase the nutritional value of the dish. Just be sure to steam them first before adding to the casserole.

Can I substitute sour cream with something else in the recipe?

Yes, Greek yogurt is a good substitute if you’re looking for a healthier alternative to sour cream.

Small plate with pasta noodle bake.

Helpful Tips

  1. Pre-cook your noodles al dente to prevent them from getting too soft in the oven.
  2. Always layer your ingredients for the perfect blend of flavors.
  3. Add some spice with a dash of red pepper flakes or chili powder.
  4. Don’t rush the browning of your ground beef; this process adds flavor.
  5. If you’re using vegetables, sauté or steam them first to release their flavors.
  6. Let the dish rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven before serving.

More Pasta Casseroles

Recipe

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

4.84 from 6 votes
This delicious, creamy Sour Cream Noodle Bake recipe whips up in no time and is a comfort food dish you'll want to make again and again!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces wide egg noodles
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 3 green onions sliced (white bottoms and green tops sliced and separated)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 cups marinara sauce
  • 8 ounces sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 8 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 16 ounces mozzarella
Save this recipe
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9×13 dish with a light coating of cooking spray, set aside.
  • Prepare egg noodles according to package directions. While they are boiling, prepare the meat.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with the white parts of the green onion until cooked through. Add the garlic and cook for one additional minute.
  • Drain off the fat and add the marinara sauce. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the sour cream with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and 4 Tablespoons of hot (not boiling) water. Set aside.
  • Drain the prepared egg noodles and immediately mix with the ricotta cheese in a large bowl. Add the sour cream mixture and stir until combined.
  • Add ½ of the creamy noodles to the prepared casserole dish. Top with half of the meat sauce and half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers, finishing with mozzarella on top.
  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the casserole is warmed throughout and cheese is melted on top. Do not overcook.
  • Top with sliced green onion tops and serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 734kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 48gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 196mgSodium: 1549mgPotassium: 1060mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1717IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 556mgIron: 5mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.

Free Email Series
5 Secrets to Dinnertime Sanity
Free email series with tested, tasted & terrific dinner recipes!

You Might Also Like

4.84 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Kathy Kinman says:

    Recipe looks and sounds easy to make. I’ll try making this with my grandson. He loves to cook with me.

  2. Michele Buchanan says:

    This recipe is very good. Easy and very tasty. I will be making it again!

    1. Adrienne - Yellow Bliss Road says:

      We are so glad you enjoyed it Michele! Thanks for stopping by.