“I’ve been making this recipe for decades! The best part? You can prep it the night before and chill until ready to bake. Perfect for bringing to friends who need a meal. It’s packed with beef and onion, but trust me—it works every time.”

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and chopped onion for about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 1 more minute until fragrant.

Step 2: Simmer the Sauce
Add tomato sauce and Italian seasoning to the beef mixture. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.

Step 3: Cook the Noodles
Meanwhile, boil egg noodles in salted water according to package directions. Drain thoroughly.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Base
In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream and cottage cheese. Add the cooked noodles, season with salt and pepper, and toss until fully coated.

Step 5: Layer the Casserole

• Spread half of the creamy noodles in the bottom of the prepared dish.
• Top with half of the meat sauce.
• Repeat layers with remaining noodles and sauce.

Step 6: Bake
Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the top. Bake for 30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted.

Step 7: Rest and Serve
Let the casserole rest 10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly, keeping the layers intact when scooped.