Description
Poor Man’s Husband Casserole is a hearty and budget-friendly American comfort food dish featuring layers of egg noodles, seasoned ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, and creamy cheese. This baked casserole is perfect for family dinners and can be prepared ahead of time for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces egg noodles
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Noodles: Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with diced onion until browned, breaking the meat apart as it cooks. Add minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add Tomato Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce and drained diced tomatoes, then simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Mix Cheese Sauce and Noodles: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add the cooked noodles and toss gently to coat evenly with the creamy mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Layer half of the noodle mixture in the prepared baking dish. Spread the beef and tomato mixture evenly over the noodles, then top with the remaining noodle mixture. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking, allowing flavors to meld.
- For a spicier twist, add red pepper flakes or substitute spicy diced tomatoes in the beef mixture.
- Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave, making it ideal for meal prep and quick lunches.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
