Sour Cream Noodle Bake

How to Make Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Here are the directions with a bit more detail and pro tips for easy success.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 1. Begin by boiling water in a large kettle. Add the penne pasta and cook noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain, and add to a medium bowl. Pro Tip. How to test for al dente. Al dente pasts will have some resistance, yet the pasta will still be tender when you bit into it.

Step 2. While the pasta is cooking, start working on the beef mixture. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, add the diced onion, and cook until translucent. Pro Tip. Drain fat off the meat before adding the tomato sauces.

Step 3. Add the tomato sauces. I used two jarred sauces for lots of extra flavor: tomato and basil, and roasted garlic.

Step 4. Add the seasonings, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Simmer while working on the pasta mixture.

Step 5.  Add the sour cream and cottage cheese to the cooked pasta in the large bowl. Stir to combine.

Step 6. Assembly. In a prepared 9 x 13 baking dish, add half the pasta sour cream mixture, next spoon half of the meat sauce over the pasta layer, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Repeat the process layering on the rest of the pasta mixture, beef mixture and the final layer of cheese.