Description
Poor Man Husband Casserole is a comforting, hearty baked dish featuring layers of tender egg noodles, savory ground beef cooked in tomato sauce with Italian seasonings, and a creamy blend of cream cheese and sour cream, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for family dinners and serves 8 generously.
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 the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Cook the noodles: Prepare the egg noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the meat sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar, stirring to combine. Pour in the tomato sauce and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Make the creamy mixture: In a bowl, blend together the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Assemble the casserole layers: In the greased baking dish, spread half of the cooked noodles evenly. Layer half of the cream cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by half of the meat sauce. Repeat these layers once more to build the casserole.
- Add the cheese topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the layered casserole for a deliciously cheesy crust.
- Bake to finish: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheddar cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top. Remove from oven and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding chopped onions or bell peppers to the ground beef while browning.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and sour cream to reduce calories if desired.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- This casserole freezes well; freeze before baking and thaw overnight before cooking.
