Description
Poor Man Husband Casserole is a comforting and hearty baked dish combining tender egg noodles, seasoned ground beef simmered in tomato sauce, and a creamy mixture of cream cheese and sour cream, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for family dinners, this easy casserole brings together rich flavors and a creamy texture in just 45 minutes.
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 Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces sour cream
Topping
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your 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 the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat for a leaner result. Season the beef with minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then stir in the sugar and tomato sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Mix Creamy Layer: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream, mixing thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Layer the Casserole: In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked noodles evenly. Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the noodles, then pour half of the meat sauce on top. Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, cream cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer to create a cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can use sharp cheddar cheese or a blend of cheeses.
- Feel free to add vegetables like diced onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the meat sauce for added nutrition.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make this dish lower in fat, use lean ground beef and low-fat cream cheese and sour cream.