Spoon sour cream and these 3 ingredients over elbow macaroni in a baking pan for a creamy comfort dish that never gets old

This oven-baked sour cream macaroni is the kind of simple, thrifty comfort dish I grew up with on Midwestern church potluck tables. It uses just four ingredients and comes together right in the baking pan: you scatter in dry elbow macaroni, then spoon over a generous tub of sour cream and just three pantry staples before sliding it into the oven. It reminds me of the old Amish-style casseroles my neighbors made—unfussy, filling, and meant to feed a crowd without much fuss. If you’ve got an iPhone shot of your hands spooning that sour cream over the dry noodles in a baking dish, you’ve captured the heart of this recipe.

Serve this creamy sour cream macaroni as a main dish with a simple green salad, sliced fresh tomatoes, or steamed broccoli to balance the richness. It also makes a lovely side next to baked ham, roast chicken, or meatloaf. A jar of pickles or some tangy coleslaw on the table gives that old-fashioned farmhouse feel, and a pan of applesauce or baked apples for dessert keeps the meal squarely in the cozy, stick-to-your-ribs Midwestern tradition.

Servings: 6

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (about 8 ounces)

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray.

Spread the uncooked elbow macaroni evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Shake the pan a bit so the noodles lie in a fairly even layer.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, whole milk, salt, and black pepper until fairly smooth. It’s fine if it’s a little lumpy from the sour cream.

Spoon the sour cream mixture over the dry macaroni in the pan, just like you would see in a close-up kitchen snapshot. Use the back of the spoon to gently spread it so all the noodles are moistened and mostly covered.

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the sour cream–coated macaroni.

Cover the baking pan tightly with foil. This traps the steam so the dry elbow macaroni can cook through in the oven without boiling first.

Bake, covered, for 40–45 minutes, until the macaroni is tender when you poke a fork down into the center. If the noodles still feel firm, cover again and bake another 5–10 minutes, checking once more.

Once the macaroni is tender, remove the foil and return the pan to the oven. Bake uncovered for another 10–15 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and the edges are bubbling.

Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving so it can set up a bit. Scoop into bowls or onto plates and serve warm.

You can play with this humble dish the way Midwestern cooks always have, using what you have on hand. Try swapping half of the cheddar for Colby or Monterey Jack for a milder flavor, or use sharp cheddar for a stronger bite. If you like a little color and extra richness, stir in 2 tablespoons of melted butter to the sour cream mixture before spooning it over the macaroni. For a heartier, more Amish-style farm supper, fold in 1–2 cups of diced cooked ham or leftover roast chicken before baking. A crunchy topping is nice too: after the covered baking time, sprinkle 1 cup of buttered breadcrumbs or crushed crackers over the cheese and bake uncovered until browned. If you prefer a looser, saucier macaroni, add an extra 1/2 cup of milk to the mixture; for a thicker casserole, use 1/2 cup less. Food safety tips: Always use fresh sour cream and milk that have been kept refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below, and don’t leave the finished casserole out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If you add meats like ham or chicken, make sure they are fully cooked before mixing into the casserole. Refrigerate leftovers promptly in shallow containers and reheat until steaming hot before serving.