Description
Poor Man Husband Casserole is a hearty and comforting layered dish combining tender egg noodles, seasoned ground beef in a rich tomato sauce, creamy blend of sour cream and cream cheese, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for a family dinner and delivers a satisfying blend of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces egg noodles, cooked
Meat Sauce
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 2 cans (30 ounces) tomato sauce
- 2 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
Creamy Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces sour cream
Topping
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for assembling the casserole.
- Cook Noodles: Prepare the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool.
- Brown Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef thoroughly. Once cooked, drain any excess fat. Season the beef with minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar, then stir in the tomato sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Sour Cream: In a separate bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with the sour cream until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Assemble Layers: In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked egg noodles evenly, then spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by half of the beef sauce. Repeat this layering process with the remaining noodles, cream cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer of the casserole for a cheesy finish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese topping is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden.
Notes
- Can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef sauce for extra nutrition.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes can give the sauce a subtle kick if desired.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute egg noodles with gluten-free pasta.
