Amish Sunday Savior Casserole Recipe

Heavenly Amish Sunday Savior Casserole Recipe for Cozy Dinners

My go-to Amish Sunday savior casserole recipe has rescued countless weekend dinners with its hearty comfort.

Families across midwest kitchens adore this straightforward dish packed with simple ingredients.

Hearty noodles and rich meat create a satisfying meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with crispy edges, promising deliciousness in every single bite.

Rural traditions shine through this uncomplicated yet incredibly filling recipe.

Layers of flavor tell a story of home-cooked goodness passed down through generations.

We know you’ll want to gather ingredients and start cooking right away.

Why Amish Sunday Savior Casserole Comforts All

  • Conquer Comfort Food Cravings: Dive into a hearty casserole that wraps you in pure culinary comfort with layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cheese blend, and perfectly cooked noodles.
  • Simplify Family Meal Prep: This crowd-pleasing dish comes together with minimal kitchen skills, making it perfect for busy parents or novice cooks looking to impress their loved ones.
  • Customize with Ease: Swap ground beef for turkey, add extra vegetables, or adjust cheese types to match your family's taste preferences without compromising the dish's delicious core.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Potluck Champion: Guaranteed to be the star of any gathering, this casserole travels well and serves multiple people, making it ideal for family reunions, church potlucks, or community dinners.

Ingredients in Amish Sunday Savior Casserole

Meat Base:
  • Ground Beef: A hearty protein that forms the foundation of the casserole's robust flavor.
  • Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that provide depth and savory undertones to the meat sauce.
Sauce and Seasoning:
  • Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes: Create a rich, tangy base for the meat mixture.
  • Italian Seasoning, Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the overall taste profile.
Dairy and Cheese Layer:
  • Sour Cream, Cottage Cheese, Melted Butter: Combine to create a creamy, luxurious layer with a smooth texture.
  • Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Provide a golden, melty topping that adds richness and classic cheesy goodness.
Pasta:
  • Noodles: The structural backbone of the casserole, creating delicious layers throughout the dish.

How to Prepare Amish Sunday Savior Casserole

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a generous butter or cooking spray massage.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Toss ground beef into a hot skillet over medium heat. Cook until the meat transforms from pink to a delicious brown.

Tumble in chopped onions and minced garlic, letting them dance and release their aromatic magic.

Step 3: Create Flavor-Packed Meat Sauce

Add these ingredients to the skillet:
  • Tomato sauce
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Italian seasoning
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Let the sauce simmer and mingle for 5 minutes, then pull it off the heat.

Step 4: Whip Up Creamy Goodness

In a mixing bowl, blend together:
  • Sour cream
  • Cottage cheese
  • Melted butter

Stir until smooth and dreamy.

Step 5: Layer Like a Pro

Start building your casserole masterpiece:
  • Spread half the cooked noodles across the baking dish
  • Spoon over half the meat sauce
  • Dollop on half the creamy mixture
  • Repeat the layers
  • Crown the top with shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and slide into the oven.

Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole catch its breath for 5 minutes before slicing into this comfort food dream.

Notes for Amish Casserole Perfection

  • Remove excess grease from ground beef to prevent a soggy casserole and ensure a rich, concentrated meat flavor.
  • Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-packaged for smoother melting and better overall texture.
  • Press down gently between layers to create a compact, cohesive casserole that holds together perfectly when sliced.
  • Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil on top after baking for an extra burst of fresh flavor and visual appeal.
  • Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for maximum convenience.

Variations to Try on Amish Casserole

  • Vegetarian Powerhouse: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a protein-packed meatless version that maintains the casserole's hearty texture.
  • Gluten-Free Comfort: Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free egg noodles or zucchini noodles to create a celiac-friendly option without compromising flavor.
  • Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced green chilies, swap Italian seasoning for taco seasoning, and top with pepper jack cheese to transform the casserole into a zesty southwestern-style dish.
  • Low-Carb Champion: Use cauliflower rice or spiralized vegetables instead of noodles, and increase the meat-to-carb ratio for a keto-friendly alternative that keeps the rich, creamy essence of the original recipe.

What Goes Well with Amish Sunday Casserole

Choose a full-bodied Italian Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich meat sauce and cheesy layers, cutting through the casserole’s hearty flavors.

Create a crisp mixed green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the casserole’s creamy and savory profile, adding refreshing contrast.

Prepare crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious meat sauce and provide a crunchy texture alongside the soft casserole layers.

Prepare simple roasted zucchini or asparagus spears with olive oil and herbs to add nutritional balance and a light side dish that doesn’t compete with the main course.

How to Store Amish Sunday Casserole Properly

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool casserole completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
  • Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Place in a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn.
  • Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed. Add a splash of water to prevent drying out.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350F, cover with foil to retain moisture, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese top.

FAQs

This hearty casserole gets its name from being a quick, comforting meal perfect for busy families after church, packed with layers of meat, cheese, and noodles that come together easily.

  • Can I use different types of ground meat?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based meat alternative works great in this recipe, giving you flexibility to match your dietary preferences.

  • Is this casserole freezer-friendly?

Yes, you can prepare the entire casserole, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed when ready to serve.

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Amish Sunday Savior Casserole Recipe

Amish Sunday Savior Casserole Recipe


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4.7 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty Amish Sunday Savior Casserole delivers comfort straight from Pennsylvania’s rolling farmlands, blending rich layers of cheesy goodness with rustic charm. Generations of home cooks have perfected this soul-warming dish you’ll crave at family gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (1 cup cheddar, 1 cup mozzarella)
  • 1 cup cottage cheese

Starches and Base:

  • 12 ounces (340 grams) egg noodles, cooked and drained

Sauce and Seasonings:

  • 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking vessel by coating a 9×13-inch dish with cooking spray and heating the oven to 350F.
  2. Transform ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, browning thoroughly while incorporating diced onions and minced garlic until aromatic.
  3. Enhance the meat mixture with tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, allowing flavors to meld for 5 minutes.
  4. Craft a luxurious creamy blend by whisking together sour cream, cottage cheese, and melted butter until smooth.
  5. Construct the first foundation layer by spreading half of the cooked noodles across the greased baking dish.
  6. Distribute half of the robust meat sauce evenly over the noodle base.
  7. Generously dollop half of the creamy mixture across the meat layer.
  8. Repeat the layering process, creating a second identical tier of noodles, meat sauce, and creamy mixture.
  9. Crown the casserole with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
  10. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes at 350F.
  11. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden landscape.
  12. Allow the casserole to rest and settle for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Choose lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier version of the casserole.
  • Swap regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free noodles for dietary accommodations and added nutrition.
  • Experiment with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter protein option that maintains the dish’s rich flavor profile.
  • Incorporate extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini between layers to boost nutritional value and add subtle complexity to the casserole.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 436 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 495 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 29 g
  • Cholesterol: 99 mg
Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Sustainable cooking techniques, Food photography

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Mike studied culinary arts with a strong focus on farm-to-table principles and sustainable cooking. His training emphasized the importance of fresh, local ingredients and environmentally responsible practices in the kitchen.


Mike’s food journey began deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where weekends at farmers’ markets and home-cooked meals sparked a lifelong obsession with simple, seasonal eating.
After earning his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, he set out to bring farm-to-table cooking into everyday kitchens, without the fuss.
Mike’s philosophy is all about keeping it fresh, unfussy, and full of heart. When he’s not crafting new single-serving recipes, he’s hiking mountain trails, chatting with local farmers, or experimenting with wild ingredients in his backyard kitchen.

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