There was so much to come from the ’40s. Televisions, nylon, jet engines, microwaves, ballpoint pens… it’s amazing that we still use all of those things today! Well, let’s take it back in time, when casseroles were also thriving, with the Classic 1940s Casserole! Being such a staple, it’s got everything you’d expect, like bouncy egg noodles, some juicy ground beef, a bit of creaminess, and a whole lot of cheesiness. Good things stand the test of time, and that is certainly true about this Classic 1940s Casserole. Rewind and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 (8-ounce) package egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 large white onion, diced
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions
Step 1 –Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2 –In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook, while crumbling, until it is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 3 –Drain and discard the excess grease.
Step 4 –Mix the tomato sauce, the sugar, the garlic salt, and the salt into the ground beef and simmer until the flavors blend, about 20 minutes.
Step 5 –Transfer the sauce from the heat, cover the skillet, and let it cool to room temperature.
Step 6 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 7 –While the sauce is simmering, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the egg noodles to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 8 –In a bowl, add the sour cream, the cream cheese, and the onion and mix to combine.
Step 9 –Layer 1/2 of the egg noodles into the prepared casserole dish.
Step 10 –Top the noodles with 1/2 of the sour cream mixture, then 1/2 of the sauce.
Step 11 –Repeat the layers once, starting with the egg noodles and ending with the sauce.
Step 12 –Sprinkle the casserole with the cheddar cheese.
Step 13 –Bake the casserole until the cheese has melted and is golden-brown, about 25-30 minutes.
Step 14 –Serve.
