This 8-Layer Bake is a stack of pure goodness. That fact is plain and simple. We can promise you, though, that there is nothing plain and simple about all the flavors found within this casserole. Get ready to sink your fork into multiple levels, eight to be exact, of tender noodles, a tomato-y beef mixture, a sprinkle of earthy spinach, and a tangy, oniony sour cream concoction. Then, to top it off and bring it all together, some yummy, melty cheddar cheese. See? There’s nothing boring here! How could there be when every layer of this 8-Layer Bake brings something delicious!
Ingredients
- 3 cups dried medium noodles, such as egg or fettuccini
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (8-ounce) carton sour cream
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup onion, chopped
- 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, cooked and well-drained
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 2-quart casserole dish or a 2-quart square baking dish.
Step 3 –In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook the noodles to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 4 –Drain the noodles and set aside.
Step 5 –While the noodles are cooking, in a large skillet, cook the beef, while crumbling, until it is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the excess grease.
Step 6 –Stir the tomato sauce, the basil, the sugar, the garlic powder, the salt, and the pepper into the beef and bring to a boil.
Step 7 –Reduce the heat and simmer the beef mixture, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
Step 8 –In a medium mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat the sour cream and the cream cheese together on medium speed until smooth.
Step 9 –Stir the milk and the onion into the sour cream mixture.
Step 10 –In the prepared casserole dish, layer 1/2 of the cooked noodles, 1/2 of the beef mixture, 1/2 of the cream cheese mixture, and the spinach.
Step 11 –Top the spinach with the remaining beef mixture and then the remaining noodles.
Step 12 –Cover and chill the remaining cream cheese mixture until needed.
Step 13 –Cover the casserole dish with lightly greased foil and bake until it is heated through, about 45 minutes.
Step 14 –Uncover the casserole dish and spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over the top of the casserole.
Step 15 –Sprinkle the cream cheese mixture with the cheddar cheese.
Step 16 –Bake the casserole, uncovered, until the cheese melts, about 10 minutes.
Step 17 –Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes.
Step 18 –Serve.
