Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp smoked paprika
  • 12 oz wide egg noodles, cooked al dente
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook without stirring for 4 minutes to allow a deep brown crust to form.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and the onions are translucent. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of cheddar, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Stir vigorously until smooth.
  5. Fold the browned beef mixture into the cheese binder until every piece of meat is thoroughly coated.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  7. Spread the cooked egg noodles evenly across the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  8. Pour the beef-cheese mixture over the noodles, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese evenly across the top.
  10. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
  11. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.