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Spoonful of cheesy beef casserole lifted from baking dish showing creamy layers, noodles, bacon, and melted cheese.
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4 from 1 vote

Million Dollar Beef Casserole

Million Dollar Beef Casserole is a cozy, budget friendly bake layered with egg noodles, saucy ground beef, and a rich cream cheese and sour cream filling, all topped with melted cheddar and crispy bacon. Ready in 45 minutes and built to feed a crowd.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 404kcal
Author: Joanna Cismaru

Ingredients

  • 4 cups egg noodles dry
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce 1 can
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • ½ cup cooked bacon crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 2 cups egg noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
    Raw ground beef and diced onions cooking together in skillet as flavorful casserole base.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the 1 pound ground beef and diced onion for 6 to 8 minutes until the beef is browned and the onion is softened.
    Raw ground beef and diced onions cooking together in skillet as flavorful casserole base.
  • Stir in the 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
    Ground beef cooked with onions, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper in skillet.
  • Pour in the 1 can tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
    Seasoned ground beef simmering with tomato sauce in skillet until thick, rich, and flavorful.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together ½ cup sour cream and 4 ounces softened cream cheese until smooth.
    Softened cream cheese and sour cream mixed together until smooth and creamy for casserole layering.
  • Spread half of the cooked egg noodles into the prepared baking dish. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the noodles. Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the creamy layer. Top with the remaining noodles. Sprinkle the 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese and ½ cup crumbled bacon evenly over the casserole.
    Egg noodles layered over seasoned beef mixture, then topped with cheddar cheese and bacon before baking.
  • Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley before serving.
    Baked million dollar beef casserole topped with melted cheddar cheese and crispy bacon in white ceramic baking dish.

Notes

  1. Soften the cream cheese fully for a smooth, lump free layer.
  2. Cook the noodles only to al dente. They finish in the oven.
  3. Let the casserole rest 5 minutes after baking so it slices cleanly.
  4. To make ahead, assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to a day. Add a few minutes to the bake time since it goes in cold.
  5. Leftovers keep in the fridge for 4 days and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 906mg | Potassium: 508mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 795IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 227mg | Iron: 2mg
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