What makes any given day a good one? Maybe it’s spending time with the people you love most? Or maybe it’s getting to focus on a hobby you really enjoy. Whatever it is, we bet we can all agree that a tasty meal paired with any beloved activity makes for a great one. The Best-Day Bake is a dish that ensures you go to bed with a smile on your face and a full tummy. What could truly go wrong with bouncy egg noodles and juicy beef all melted together in a savory sauce and creamy cheese? Honestly, getting to enjoy Best-Day Bake even without any fun activity can make for a pretty great day! Here’s to a bunch of delicious and delightful days ahead!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for oiling a baking dish
- kosher salt, to taste
- 3 cups wide egg noodles
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan, freshly grated
- 12 ounces ground beef
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 bunch scallions, white and green parts, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Step 2 –Oil a 2-quart baking dish.
Step 3 –Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Step 4 –Add the egg noodles to the boiling water and cook to al dente according to the package directions.
Step 5 –Drain the noodles and place them in the prepared baking dish.
Step 6 –Toss the noodles with the sour cream, the parmesan, and the salt.
Step 7 –Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 8 –Add the ground beef and cook, stirring, until no longer pink, about 4-6 minutes.
Step 9 –Add the bell peppers and the scallions and cook until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.
Step 10 –Make space in the pan and add the tomato paste to that space, allowing it to toast for 1 minute.
Step 11 –Sprinkle the mixture with the Italian seasoning and the salt and stir together.
Step 12 –Add the diced tomatoes, stirring the mixture and bringing it to a simmer.
Step 13 –Cook until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
Step 14 –Pour the beef mixture over the noodles and sprinkle with the cheddar.
Step 15 –Bake on the middle rack until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbling, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 16 –Let stand for 10 minutes.
Step 17 –Serve.
