🏡 A Family Legacy: 40-Year Favorite Casserole Recipe
“Been making this dish for 40-plus years! A family favorite. All my kids requested the recipe when they got their own places and now make it for their kids. This one never goes out of style!”
Some recipes are more than just a list of ingredients and a set of instructions. They’re memory keepers, story vessels, and traditions that carry the warmth of home across generations. Today, I’m sharing one such recipe—a humble, hearty, comforting dish that has been passed from my kitchen to my children’s kitchens and is now being served up to their kids.
This isn’t just a meal—it’s a tradition, a memory, and the taste of home.
🍽️ The Dish: Classic Cheesy Beef & Noodle Casserole
This casserole is simple at heart: ground beef, noodles, tomato sauce, and lots of gooey, melty cheese. It’s budget-friendly, satisfying, and completely adaptable. Over the decades, I’ve tweaked it here and there—sometimes adding mushrooms, other times sneaking in some spinach—but the base has always stayed the same.
Why? Because it works. It’s the kind of recipe that gets scraped clean from the casserole dish. It’s the dinner you make when life feels too chaotic and you need something familiar. It freezes well, feeds a crowd, and more than anything—it just feels like home.
đź›’ Ingredients (Serves 6-8)
For the casserole:
1 lb ground beef (80/20 for flavor or leaner if you prefer)
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp paprika
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
8 oz wide egg noodles (or elbow macaroni)
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cottage cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional)
Optional additions:
½ cup chopped mushrooms
1 cup fresh spinach
Red pepper flakes (for heat)
Green bell pepper, diced (sautéed with onion)
🧑‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
🔥 Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook until al dente—usually about 1-2 minutes less than the package says. Remember, it’ll cook more in the oven, so don’t overdo it.
Drain and set aside.
Tip: Toss it with a drizzle of olive oil to keep it from sticking together.
🍳 Step 2: Brown the Beef
In a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat, add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula. Cook for about 5–7 minutes, until browned and no longer pink.
If there’s excess grease, drain it off. Then, add your diced onions and garlic and cook for another 3–4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
Optional Add-ins: Now is the time to add mushrooms, peppers, or spinach if you’re using them. Cook until softened.
🍅 Step 3: Make the Sauce
To the beef and onion mixture, add:
Tomato sauce
Diced tomatoes (with juice)
Tomato paste
Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, and sugar
Stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer for about 10–15 minutes uncovered. This allows it to thicken slightly and deepen in flavor.
Taste and adjust seasoning. This is your chance to make it your own—want more herbs? More garlic? Add it!
🧀 Step 4: Create the Creamy Layer
In a separate bowl, mix together:
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cottage cheese
This is the secret layer that gives this casserole its signature creamy tang. If you’re skeptical about cottage cheese—don’t be! Once baked, it melts into the dish, adding richness without being heavy.
🏗️ Step 5: Assemble the Casserole
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, layer in this order:
Half of the cooked noodles
All of the creamy cottage cheese/sour cream mixture
Half of the meat sauce
The remaining noodles
Remaining meat sauce
Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly on top
Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.
🔥 Step 6: Bake
Cover the dish with foil and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Then, remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes uncovered, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
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