Creamy Hamburger Noodle Casserole

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The EatingWell Test Kitchen takes lean ground beef and combines it with whole-grain bulgur, egg noodles and a creamy tomato sauce in a baked casserole topped with Cheddar. With less fat and calories than the original skillet meal, this dish is sure to become a new family favorite.

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Cook Time:
30 mins
Additional Time:
55 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 25 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings
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Ingredients

  • 2 bunches scallions, trimmed

  • 8 ounces 90%-lean ground beef

  • 1 ½ teaspoons canola oil

  • 1/2 cup bulgur, (see Ingredient Note)

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce

  • ½ cup water

  • ¼ teaspoon salt, divided

  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste

  • 6 ounces no-yolk whole-wheat egg noodles

  • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese

  • 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream

  • ¼ cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Put a large pot of water on to boil.

  2. Separate white and green parts of scallions; thinly slice and reserve separately.

  3. Cook beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up clumps with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.

  4. Wipe out the pan, add oil and reduce heat to medium-low. Add bulgur, garlic and the reserved scallion whites. Cook, stirring, until the scallions soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomato sauce, water and the beef; bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer gently until the bulgur is tender and the sauce is thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper.

  5. Meanwhile, cook noodles until just tender, 6 to 8 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.

  6. Puree cottage cheese in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl; fold in sour cream and the reserved scallion greens. Season with the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper.

  7. Spread half the noodles in the prepared pan. Top with half the cottage cheese mixture and half the meat sauce. Repeat with the remaining noodles, cottage cheese and sauce. Sprinkle Cheddar over the top.

  8. Bake the casserole until bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips

Bulgur is made by parboiling, drying and coarsely grinding or cracking wheat berries. It simply needs a quick soak in hot water for most uses. Look for it in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets, near other grains, or online at kalustyans.com, buylebanese.com.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, March/April 1999

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

371 Calories
14g Fat
39g Carbs
22g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 371
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 39g 14%
Dietary Fiber 4g 15%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 22g 44%
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 7g 37%
Cholesterol 52mg 17%
Vitamin A 901IU 18%
Vitamin C 12mg 13%
Folate 40mcg 10%
Sodium 738mg 32%
Calcium 181mg 14%
Iron 3mg 18%
Magnesium 66mg 16%
Potassium 606mg 13%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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