Ingredients
- 12 oz wide egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley, optional
Full-fat sour cream and cottage cheese will give the dish its richest, creamiest texture.
How to Make Noodles Romanoff
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles until al dente. Don’t overcook them, since they’ll continue softening in the oven. Drain well and allow them to cool for a minute.
Meanwhile, combine the sour cream, cottage cheese, melted butter, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika in a large bowl. For a smoother sauce, you can briefly blend the cottage cheese first.
Add the noodles and toss gently until coated. Stir in 1 cup of cheddar, reserving the remaining ½ cup for the top.
Transfer everything to a lightly buttered casserole dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Cover loosely with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until bubbling around the edges and lightly golden on top.
Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for the Best Result
The biggest thing is not overcooking the noodles. They should still have some structure when they go into the casserole.
Freshly grated sharp cheddar generally melts better and gives a stronger flavor than pre-shredded cheese. Full-fat dairy also helps prevent the finished casserole from feeling thin or dry.
If leftovers become slightly dry in the refrigerator, add a small splash of milk before reheating.
Easy Variations
The basic recipe is already rich enough to stand on its own, but sautéed mushrooms are an especially good addition. Their earthy flavor works beautifully with the tangy sour cream and cheese.
Caramelized onions, a little Parmesan or Gruyère, fresh chives, or crispy bacon can also be added depending on what you’re serving alongside it.
What to Serve With It
Because Noodles Romanoff is rich and creamy, a relatively simple main course works best. Roast beef is a particularly classic pairing, but baked chicken, grilled steak, meatloaf, or roast turkey all work well.
Add something fresh or green—such as steamed broccoli, green beans, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad—to balance the richness.
Make It Ahead
You can assemble the entire casserole in advance, cover it, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.
If baking it straight from the refrigerator, expect it to need a little additional time to become thoroughly hot in the center.
An Old-Fashioned Dish Worth Bringing Back
Noodles Romanoff doesn’t rely on elaborate techniques or expensive ingredients. Its appeal is the combination of soft egg noodles, tangy sour cream, creamy cottage cheese, butter, and melted cheese in one warm casserole.
It’s simple, filling, nostalgic comfort food—and an easy side dish to bring back into the dinner rotation.