1-Step 1: Preheat and Prep First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Cook the 8 ounces of egg noodles according to the package directions, then drain and rinse them. This sets the base for your layers.

2-Step 2: Cook the Beef In a skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and cook the 1 ½ pounds of ground beef until it’s fully done, then drain the grease. Add 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper; stir everything together. This builds the flavorful heart of the dish.

3-Step 3: Add Sauce and Simmer Stir in 1 teaspoon of sugar and the 2 cans (30 ounces total) of tomato sauce. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors. In a separate bowl, mix the 8 ounces of softened cream cheese with 8 ounces of sour cream until smooth.

4-Step 4: Layer and Bake In your baking dish, layer half of the cooked noodles, then half of the cream cheese mixture, and half of the meat sauce. Repeat the layers and top with 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. For more simple baking tips, check out similar easy recipes like Grandma’s Ground Beef Casserole.