Crunchy Beef Bake

Dive into cozy comfort food with this irresistible Crunchy Beef Bake, a hearty casserole layered with robust flavors and a satisfyingly crispy topping. This recipe brings together savory ground beef simmered with onions, garlic, and Italian-seasoned tomatoes, perfectly paired with creamy egg noodles blended with sour cream and cream cheese for a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Topped with sharp cheddar cheese and golden, buttery panko breadcrumbs, every bite offers the perfect balance of creamy, meaty, and crunchy. Easy to prepare in under an hour, this family-friendly dinner is perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve it straight from the oven, garnished with fresh green onions, for a dish that's as visually appealing as it is delicious. Keywords: Crunchy Beef Bake, beef casserole, cheesy casserole, comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 14.5 ounces, canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 12 ounces, cooked and drained wide egg noodles
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 ounces, softened cream cheese
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.75 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 3 tablespoons, melted butter
• 2 tablespoons, sliced (for garnish, optional) green onion

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the ground beef. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.

Step 5

In a medium bowl, mix the cooked noodles, sour cream, and cream cheese until well combined.

Step 6

Spread half of the noodle mixture into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 7

Layer half of the beef mixture over the noodles, followed by 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 8

Repeat the layers: remaining noodle mixture, beef mixture, and then the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top.

Step 9

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top layer of cheddar cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling at the edges.

Step 11

Let the Crunchy Beef Bake cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Optional: Garnish with sliced green onions and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2054.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3849.4

Total Fat 281.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 155.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1019.1mg	0%
Sodium 4438.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 183.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.7g	0%
Total Sugars 46.4g
Protein 175.4g	0%

Vitamin D 6.7IU	0%
Calcium 2349.4mg	0%
Iron 18.0mg	0%
Potassium 2663.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.9%

Protein: 17.7%

Carbs: 18.5%