Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Beef and Cheesy Noodle Bake?
It is a comfort food casserole featuring layers of egg noodles, seasoned ground beef, a creamy sauce made of sour cream and cream cheese, and a melted cheddar topping.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 6 servings.
What are the primary ingredients?
The main ingredients include egg noodles, ground beef, canned diced tomatoes, sour cream, cream cheese, onion, and shredded cheddar cheese.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
How long should I cook the egg noodles?
Boil the egg noodles for 8-10 minutes until they are al dente.
Do I need to drain the canned tomatoes?
No, you should use the canned diced tomatoes with their juice to help create the sauce.
How long should the beef mixture simmer?
After adding the tomatoes and spices to the browned beef, let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
What is in the creamy white layer of the bake?
The creamy layer consists of a mixture of sour cream, softened cream cheese, and chopped onion.
What size baking dish is needed?
A 9x13-inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake the assembled dish in the oven for 25 minutes.
How do I know when the bake is finished?
The dish is ready when the cheese on top is melted and bubbly and the entire bake is heated through.
What are the calories per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 242 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 15g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 17g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in this dish?
Each serving provides about 13g of protein.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey or ground chicken can be used as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
Is there sugar in this recipe?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of white sugar is added to the beef and tomato mixture to balance the acidity.
How should the egg noodles be prepared before layering?
They should be boiled in lightly salted water, drained, and set aside until you are ready to assemble the layers.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, this dish is great for crowds; just ensure you use a larger dish or two 9x13 pans.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese for the top layer.
How do I assemble the layers?
Layer half the noodles, then the beef mixture, then the cream cheese mixture, followed by the rest of the noodles and cheddar cheese.
Do I need to cook the onion before adding it to the cream cheese?
The recipe suggests mixing the chopped onion directly into the sour cream and cream cheese mixture.
What should the consistency of the cream cheese be?
The cream cheese should be softened to ensure it mixes smoothly with the sour cream.
Can I add extra vegetables?
Yes, adding bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef while browning would work well.
Is this recipe considered a one-dish meal?
While it requires a skillet and a pot for prep, it is served as a hearty one-dish casserole meal.
How much ground beef is required?
You will need 1.5 lbs of ground beef.
What kind of tomatoes are used?
Use one 14.5-ounce can of peeled and diced tomatoes.
Can I substitute the sour cream?
Plain Greek yogurt can often be used as a substitute for sour cream if desired.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, with its cheesy noodles and savory beef, it is a very family-friendly meal.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the layers ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when you are ready to eat.