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Church Basement Casserole Recipe Easy Midwest Comfort Food Classic

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A classic Midwest comfort food casserole featuring wide egg noodles, ground meat, creamy mushroom sauce, and a crispy buttery cracker topping. Perfect for potlucks and family dinners, this easy recipe delivers warm, hearty flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz wide egg noodles
  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup crushed buttery crackers
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz of wide egg noodles and cook according to package instructions, about 7-9 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. While noodles cook, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb ground beef or turkey and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Add 1 diced medium onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sauté until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup milk, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  5. Add cooked noodles and meat mixture to the sauce bowl. Gently fold everything together until noodles are evenly coated.
  6. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the casserole mixture in and spread evenly.
  7. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup crushed buttery crackers with 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter and optional 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden brown and casserole is bubbly around the edges.
  9. Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook noodles; al dente is best. Drain excess fat from meat to avoid greasiness. Fold ingredients gently to keep noodles intact. Use full-fat dairy for best creaminess. If topping browns too fast, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking. For gluten-free, substitute noodles, soup, and crackers with gluten-free versions.

Nutrition

Keywords: church basement casserole, comfort food, Midwestern casserole, easy casserole recipe, potluck dish, creamy casserole, cheesy casserole

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