Description
Poor Man Husband Casserole is a hearty and comforting baked pasta dish featuring layers of egg noodles, savory ground beef simmered in tomato sauce with Italian seasonings, and creamy mixtures of cream cheese and sour cream, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for family dinners, this casserole combines simple ingredients into a flavorful and satisfying meal.
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: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and for easier cleanup.
- Cook Noodles: Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain them well and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy. Season the beef with minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar for balanced flavor. Stir in the tomato sauce and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes so the flavors meld.
- Make Creamy Mixture: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Assemble Layers: In the prepared baking dish, spread half of the cooked egg noodles as the first layer. Top with half of the cream cheese mixture, spreading evenly. Then spoon half of the meat sauce on top. Repeat the layering with the remaining noodles, cream cheese mixture, and meat sauce to build the casserole.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the assembled casserole for a deliciously cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is fully melted and bubbly, indicating the dish is heated through and ready to serve.
Notes
- For a tangier flavor, you can substitute some of the sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- You can add chopped onions or bell peppers to the ground beef while browning for extra flavor and texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Using low-fat cream cheese and sour cream can reduce the dish’s fat content.
