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Cozy Beef and Noodle Casserole

cozy beef and noodle casserole - featured image
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A comforting and easy homemade casserole featuring browned beef, tender egg noodles, and a creamy cheese sauce baked to golden perfection. Perfect for family dinners and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean preferred)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or oregano and basil blend)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 8 ounces egg noodles (wide or medium; gluten-free noodles optional)
  • 2 cups whole milk (or 2% milk for lighter option)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated (for topping)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles according to package instructions until just al dente (6-8 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef with chopped onion and minced garlic for 7-8 minutes until beef is browned and onions are translucent. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbly but not browned.
  5. Slowly whisk in milk, continuing to whisk to keep sauce smooth. Cook for 3-5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in shredded cheddar, softened cream cheese, and mustard powder (if using) until cheeses melt and sauce is creamy. Adjust salt to taste.
  7. In a large bowl, combine browned beef mixture and cooked noodles. Pour cheese sauce over and fold gently to coat evenly.
  8. Transfer mixture to prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle grated Parmesan evenly over the top.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Tent with foil if cheese browns too quickly.
  10. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook noodles; they will finish cooking in the oven. Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth sauce. Add a splash of milk if sauce is too thick before mixing. For extra melty cheese, sprinkle cheddar on top 5 minutes before baking ends. Can prepare beef mixture and cheese sauce a day ahead and refrigerate separately. Leftovers store well in fridge for 3 days or freeze up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef casserole, noodle casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy casserole, family meal, baked casserole

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/cozy-beef-and-noodle-casserole-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food/