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Friday, March 25, 2011

Noodles + Sour Cream + Melty Cheese = Comfort (...Sour Cream Noodle Bake)

I realize I'm looking up at him.  My baby.  It dawns on me as I fan the hydrogen peroxide dry with a few quick waves of my hand and hold a q-tip at the ready with my other hand. He realizes it at the same time.  "Hey, I'm taller than you, mom."  In unison, we turn to peer in the bathroom mirror.  Six inches, at least...that's what my baby's got on me.  I let out a laugh that sounds almost hysterical.  How does thirteen years sneak by in the blink of an eye? 

Tears think about forcing their way out.  But he's looking at me with with a lopsided grin that is so infectious, that instead of tears I find myself grinning right back at him. I wrap him in a quick bear hug and head off to answer the timer that is yelling at me from the kitchen.  The death trap skateboard is stashed in the garage for the evening and the sweetest face (okay, one of three) in the world on the mend. And now it's time for a simple, comforting, satisfying dinner.
Sour Cream Noodle Bake
from The Pioneer Woman
serves ~8

    1¼ lb. Ground Chuck
    1 can (15-oz.) Tomato Sauce
    ½ tsp. kosher salt
    freshly ground Black Pepper
    8 oz. Egg Noodles
    ½ c. Sour Cream
    1¼ c. Small Curd Cottage Cheese
    ½ c. Sliced Green Onions
    1-2 c. Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Brown the meat in a large skillet, then drain the fat. Add tomato sauce, salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Stir it all together, then let it simmer gently while you work on the other ingredients.

Cook egg noodles until al dente. Drain and mix with the sour cream and cottage cheese that you've combined in a separate bowl while the noodles were cooking.  Add another good amount of freshly ground black pepper and the green onions.  Stir it all together.

Spray a baking dish (~11" x 7") with pan spray, then spread half of the noodle mixture in the bottom.  Top with half of the meat and half of the cheese.  Repeat.  Bake for ~20 minutes, until the cheese is melty and everything else has melded together.
Serve with crusty bread and/or a simple salad.

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PPN is being held at Once Upon a Feast this week by its creator, Ruth!
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  1. Awww...that almost put a tear in MY eye. I know exactly how you feel- I have to look up at all three of my boys now. And just yesterday they were toddlers I'm sure. Sigh. They'd all love these noodles btw. :)

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  2. Great story and noodles! I know about the kids, My daughter 5, is teaching me the pledge of allegiance and getting quite upset with me when I get parts wrong..

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  3. wow...delicious noodles recipe !would definitely love to try it sometimes !

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  4. This looks amazing! And your post totally tugged at my heart. Mine are still little, but every once in awhile I catch a glimpse of things to come and it makes me want to freeze certain moments in time...of course there are some stages that I want to hit the fast fwd. button on as well. This reminded me how very fast it goes...and that I should be happy in the moment. Thanks for that!

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  5. Very sweet post! This noodle bake looks delicious--excellent comfort food for sure. ;-)

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  6. awwww...so sweet! same here, my 11-almost-12 year old (he'll turn 12 this sunday), he's almost as tall as I am! lol

    that melted cheese with noodles shot is making me drool...delicious!

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  7. What a great little post. Had to chuckle about naming the skateboard death trap. Heather this noodle bake looks so very good! Made me instantly hungry.

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  8. I saw this on PW's blog and so wanted to get right up and make it! I still do! Thanks!

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  9. This looks like pure comfort! Those children grow up WAY too fast, wish I could hold mine in my lap again and read them a story.

    -Brenda

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  10. They grow up so quickly. Next thing you know they will be off to university, married and with grandkids to spoit.!

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  11. OMG! This sounds perfect! I have to try it! Thanks for the recipe!

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  12. The baked noodles are looking really good and appetizing. I liked the sour cream added to it, never tried liked this but wud give this version of urs a try for sure. Thanks for linking the lemonade at ur site.

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  13. You're so sweet. I'm doomed to be the shortest in my family. =) This dish looks so hearty and comforting!

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  14. No longer wondering what I'm making for dinner tonight :-)

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  15. Yum!!!!! I love that you used "melty cheese" in the title. That's pretty much a guarantee I would love this recipe.

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  16. I love when my blogger friends make recipes that I have bookmarked. I'll definitely be trying this. I, too, love the "melty cheese." Have a great weekend Heather!

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  17. This looks so mouthwatering. Thanks for linking up to Fat Camp Friday!

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  18. Tell me about it - my daughter will be 29 in a few weeks and I swear I just dropped her off at Kinder last week! I saw this dish on PW and liked that it had the cottage cheese in it. Sounds good!

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  19. wow..that looks so good--i hardly ever crave meat...but on fridays, when i am abstaining, it seems it is all i can think about. your delicious dish isn't doing me any favors :)

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  20. Comforting most definitely!! Looks soooo good, Heather!
    Happy Friday!

    xx,
    Tammy

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  21. I made this two days ago it was delicious! P.W. has great recipes

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  22. Made it tonight as promised, and it's amazing. I've already been told to hold onto this recipe as I'll be making it again :-)

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  23. I sometimes think it would be really nice if we could stop time...just for a little while. But at least we can find comfort in food! This casserole sounds delicious! Cheesy...and almost like a warm hug.

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  24. You are a tougher woman than me. I would have bawled a big ugle snot-filled ugly cry, right there in front of him. In fact, I'm sort of cryin' like that now. Pass the noodles, I need some comfort, too.

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  25. They do grow up so fast. It goes by in an instant. This noodle bake looks comforting.

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  26. Hearty , homey n comforting- perfect for a weekend brunch!

    US Masala

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  27. Ok...here's the deal...I'm trying to catch up on my blog reading and I wasn't planning on going any further than the most recent post....but then i saw this and HOLY MOLY!!!! Some serious yum goin on here. Would you mind if I added some crumbled bacon on top? :)
    btw....you just wait until your babies are all 'adults' (which is still open to interpretation)

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  28. Dani- Not only would I not mind, I would encourage it ;) ha ha ha ha!! Ssshhh...let's not talk about them being adults yet.

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  29. Oh my does that look sooo good! Anything with lots of cheese is calling my name. :)

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  30. Mmmm, so comforting! I haven't had dinner yet. Can I come over?
    I can guarantee you I will be taller too.. ;-)

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  31. Awwww....why do these kiddos have to grow up so fast?

    Don't know how I missed this recipe on PW's site, but it looks like the ultimate in comfort food.

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  32. thanks for sharing your wonderful story, i have a feeling that my kids will be taller than me...so i'll keep your story in mind! anyway, your plate looks so tasty, thanks for sharing your recipe! PinayMum - Mommy's Life Around...wishing you a great week and sorry for late visit!

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  33. Sometimes it is hard to see them grow up so fast...this dish would make me feel better too :)

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  34. Sweet! They do grow up in the blink of an eye. Savor while it lasts. And, I'm sure he enjoyed another of your delicious, comforting meals.

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  35. It is impressive how tasty sour cream is in a lot of things.

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