Cheesy Beef and Noodle Casserole

This casserole layers browned beef and egg noodles in a creamy sauce, tops it with two kinds of cheese, and finishes with a crunchy blanket of crispy fried onions. It's the kind of comforting, make-ahead dinner that reheats well for lunch the next day. The crispy onion topping added at the end keeps its crunch instead of going soggy.

Browned beef and egg noodles bake in a creamy sauce under melted cheddar and a crispy French onion topping.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Fast: ready in about 45 minutes (15 min prep, 30 min cook)
• Simple: 12 everyday ingredients
• Feeds the family: 6 servings
• Light: about 520 calories per serving

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 8 ounces egg noodles
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 ½ cups crispy French onions
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 cup frozen peas
• diced bell pepper
• mushrooms

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Boil the egg noodles in salted water until just shy of al dente, about a minute less than the package instructions, then drain.
3. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked, then drain the excess fat.
4. Stir the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the beef.
5. Combine the beef, noodles, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and 1 cup of cheddar in a large bowl until well mixed.
6. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spread it evenly, and top with the remaining cheddar.
7. Bake for 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
8. Sprinkle the crispy French onions evenly over the top and return the dish to the oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until the onions turn golden.
9. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Cooking Tips

• Slightly undercook the noodles before baking, since they'll continue cooking in the oven.
• Drain the beef thoroughly to keep the casserole from turning greasy.
• Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking so it sets before serving.

Substitutions

• Ground turkey can replace the ground beef.
• Cream of chicken soup can stand in for cream of mushroom.
• A gluten-free egg noodle can be used to make this dish gluten-free.

Storage

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Reheat in the oven to keep the topping crisp; the microwave will soften it.
• Freeze without the crispy onion topping for up to 2 months, adding fresh onions after reheating.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a simple green salad to balance the richness.
• Add a sprinkle of extra crispy onions at the table for more crunch.
• Pair with steamed green beans or peas on the side.

Nutrition (per serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	520 kcal

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