Homestead Noodles Romanoff is a cozy, old-fashioned casserole that feels like something handed down on a handwritten recipe card. It’s creamy, beefy, gently tangy, and made to stretch simple pantry staples into a filling family meal—perfect for cold evenings or Sunday suppers.
This dish became popular in mid-century American kitchens as a practical twist on stroganoff. Instead of fancy cuts of beef, it uses ground beef and egg noodles, finished with sour cream and cottage cheese for richness and protein. On the homestead, it was loved because it was inexpensive, filling, and reheated beautifully.
Ingredients
You’ll need wide egg noodles, ground beef, a yellow onion, garlic, tomato paste or tomato sauce, sour cream, cottage cheese, butter, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Many homestead versions also add a little cream cheese or a splash of milk for extra creaminess.
How It’s Made
The noodles are boiled just until tender, then set aside. Ground beef is browned slowly with onion and garlic until deeply flavorful. Tomato paste is stirred in to give warmth and color without overpowering the creaminess. Off the heat, sour cream and cottage cheese are folded in so they stay smooth and don’t curdle. Everything is gently combined with the noodles, transferred to a buttered baking dish, dotted with butter, and baked until hot and lightly golden on top.
Why It Works
What makes Noodles Romanoff special is the balance. The sour cream adds tang, the cottage cheese gives body without heaviness, and the beef brings comfort and depth. It’s rich without being fancy, and simple without being bland.
Homestead Tips
Many families topped it with buttered breadcrumbs, crushed saltines, or even a handful of shredded cheddar for a baked-in crust. Leftovers were often served the next day with sliced tomatoes or green beans on the side. It also freezes well, which made it a favorite for busy farm weeks.
This is the kind of meal that fills the kitchen with warmth, feeds a crowd, and reminds people why simple food done right never goes out of style.
Enjoy !!!
