🧄 Creamy Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole

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This creamy, cheesy casserole is the ultimate comfort meal—hearty, nostalgic, and weeknight friendly with a W-W spin!

Prep Time: 15 minutes · Cook Time: 30 minutes · Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Dietary Tags: Family-Friendly · High-Protein · W-W Adaptable

✅ Ingredients Checklist

  • Ground beef (1 lb – lean or extra lean for W-W)

  • Egg noodles (12 oz – whole wheat or high-fiber optional)

  • Onion (1 small, diced)

  • Garlic (2 cloves, minced)

  • Cream of mushroom soup (1 can, 10.5 oz)

  • Sour cream (1 cup – light or fat-free for W-W-friendly version)

  • Beef broth (½ cup – low sodium preferred)

  • Cheddar cheese (1½ cups shredded – reduced-fat for lighter version)

  • Worcestershire sauce (1 tbsp)

  • Salt (1 tsp), black pepper (½ tsp)

  • Paprika (½ tsp), onion powder (¼ tsp)

  • Butter (1 tbsp – for greasing dish or use cooking spray)

🥄 Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13” baking dish.

  2. Boil egg noodles, drain, and set aside.

  3. Brown the beef in a large skillet. Drain excess fat.

  4. Add onion and garlic; sauté 2–3 minutes.

  5. Mix in soup, sour cream, broth, Worcestershire, and seasonings. Simmer 3–4 min.

  6. Combine noodles & sauce in baking dish. Stir to coat evenly.

  7. Top with cheddar cheese, cover with foil.

  8. Bake 20 minutes covered, then 10 minutes uncovered until bubbly and golden.

  9. Rest for 5 minutes, then serve warm and creamy.

💡Quick Tips

  • Use extra-lean ground beef or turkey for a W-W-friendly protein swap.

  • Whole-wheat egg noodles add fiber and keep points lower.

  • Lighten up with fat-free sour cream and reduced-fat cheese.

I. Why “Recipe-First”?

Because cozy casseroles are about convenience! You get the essentials right up top, then scroll for W-W swaps, prep tips, and my best comfort-food advice.

II. Introduction

This dish is pure Midwest nostalgia—creamy, meaty, and melty with the kind of richness you crave on a busy night. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or prepping dinner ahead, this beef noodle casserole is weeknight magic in a baking dish—and totally adaptable to your W-W plan.

III. Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

1. Cook the Noodles

  • Follow package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

  • TIP: Don’t overcook—the noodles will continue to soften in the oven.

2. Brown the Beef

  • In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until fully browned.

  • Drain excess fat and return to the pan.

3. Build the Flavor

  • Add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until softened.

  • Stir in soup, sour cream, broth, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder.

  • Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes.

4. Assemble the Casserole

  • Spread noodles into a greased 9×13” dish.

  • Pour creamy beef mixture over top and stir to combine.

  • Sprinkle evenly with shredded cheese.

5. Bake

  • Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes.

  • Uncover and bake 10 more until cheese is bubbly and golden.

  • Let rest 5–10 minutes before slicing to serve.

IV. Ingredient Substitutions & W-W Swaps

  • Ground Beef: Use 93% or 96% lean, or swap for ground turkey or chicken.

  • Sour Cream: Substitute fat-free Greek yogurt or light sour cream.

  • Egg Noodles: Try whole wheat, chickpea, or high-protein noodles.

  • Cheddar Cheese: Use reduced-fat cheddar or part-skim mozzarella.

  • Soup: Low-sodium cream of mushroom; or make homemade lighter version with broth + Greek yogurt + cornstarch.

Bonus W-W Tip
Mix ½ cup shredded zucchini into the beef for more volume, fewer points.

V. Serving & Pairing Suggestions

  • Side Salad: Tossed greens with lemon vinaigrette cut through the richness.

  • Veggie Pairings: Steamed broccoli or roasted Brussels sprouts.

  • Comfort Meal: Add W-W-friendly dinner rolls or roasted cauliflower mash.

VI. Storage & Meal Prep

  • Refrigerate: Keeps 3–4 days in an airtight container.

  • Reheat: Microwave individual portions or rewarm in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes.

  • Freeze: Cool completely, wrap tightly, freeze for up to 2 months.

VII. Nutrition Info (Per Serving, approx. with original ingredients)

  • Calories: ~500

  • Protein: 26 g

  • Carbs: 32 g

  • Fat: 28 g

  • Fiber: 2 g

  • W-W Points: ~11–13 (depending on swaps)

Diet Tags: High-Protein · Family Comfort Food · W-W Adaptable

VIII. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I prep this casserole ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead—bake when ready.

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Use gluten-free egg noodles and a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup.

Q: What’s a good cheese substitute?
A: Try reduced-fat mozzarella or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack.

IX. Kristy’s Note

This is the kind of casserole my mom used to make after church on Sundays—it’s nostalgic, rich, and so easy to adjust to whatever I have in the fridge. With just a few W-W tweaks, it fits into my lifestyle perfectly without sacrificing that creamy, cheesy magic!

X. More Cozy Casserole Favorites

  • Skinny Chicken Alfredo Bake

  • W-W Turkey Taco Pasta Casserole

  • Zucchini Lasagna Boats with Beef & Cheese

✨ Show Off Your Casserole!

Did you try this Creamy Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole? Tag me @KristyCookRecipes on Instagram or leave a comment below—I’d love to see your version and hear your favorite swaps!

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