Beef And Cheese Bake
A hearty baked beef and cheese casserole with creamy cheese layers, savory meat sauce, and tender noodles, perfect for comforting family dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce ⓘ
- dash Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 cup cream-style cottage cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sour cream ⓘ
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened ⓘ
- 1/2 cup snipped green onions ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 8 oz. medium noodles, cooked and drained ⓘ
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Lightly oil a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
- Saute ground beef until browned; drain fat.
- Add tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and salt to the beef.
- Remove from heat.
- Combine cottage cheese, sour cream, and softened cream cheese.
- Add snipped green onions and chopped green pepper to the cheese mixture.
- Spread half of the cooked noodles on the bottom of the baking dish.
- Spoon a portion of the meat sauce over the noodles.
- Spread the cheese mixture over the meat sauce.
- Top with the remaining noodles.
- Spoon the remaining meat sauce over the noodles.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly hot.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavor, consider adding chopped garlic or Italian herbs to the meat sauce. If you want a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for beef and use ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese. For added texture, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top before baking. This dish is a great way to use up leftover pasta or cheese from other American recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Beef and Cheese Bake hot, garnished with additional snipped green onions for freshness. It pairs beautifully with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. You can also serve it alongside Cheri'S Famous Bread Dip for an appetizer that complements the cheesy flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick meal, ensuring they are heated evenly.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Beef And Cheese Bake contains roughly 183 calories, with 7g protein, 23g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (38% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 931mg per serving (40% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the Beef and Cheese Bake up to a day in advance. Assemble the layers in the baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove the cover and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Can I freeze this dish?
Absolutely! This bake freezes well. Assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking, or cook from frozen, adding 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
What can I substitute for cream cheese?
If you need a substitute for cream cheese, you can use softened mascarpone or Greek yogurt for a tangy flavor. Cottage cheese can also work, but blend it until smooth for a similar texture. These alternatives can give your dish a unique twist while maintaining creaminess.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).