Description

Poor Man Husband Casserole is a hearty and comforting baked dish combining ground beef, creamy cheese sauces, and tender egg noodles, all layered and baked to perfection. This casserole offers a delicious blend of savory flavors with a cheesy, tomato-infused twist, making it a perfect family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Sauce

1 ½ lbs. Ground beef
2 cans tomato sauce (15 oz. each)
2 tsp. Minced garlic
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. Sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

Dairy

8 oz. Cream cheese
8 oz. Sour cream
1 ½ cups Cheddar cheese, shredded

Pasta

8 oz. Egg noodles

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole later.
Cook the beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the ground beef until fully browned. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily.
Add seasonings: Stir in the Italian seasoning and minced garlic, cooking for an additional 30 seconds to release their flavors.
Prepare sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and sprinkle in the sugar, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes to blend the flavors well.
Mix cheeses: In a separate bowl, combine the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and well blended.
Cook noodles: Boil the egg noodles until they reach your desired tenderness, then drain completely.
Assemble casserole: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread half of the cooked noodles evenly on the bottom, then top with half of the cream cheese mixture followed by half of the meat sauce. Repeat layering with the remaining noodles, cream cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole layers to add a rich, cheesy crust.
Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the dish is heated through.

Notes

Drain excess fat from browned beef to avoid greasiness in the casserole.
For added flavor, you can sprinkle a little extra Italian seasoning or fresh herbs like parsley on top before baking.
This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
Use sharp cheddar cheese for a stronger cheesy flavor.
Ensure noodles are well drained before layering to prevent sogginess.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Poor Man Husband Casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole, easy dinner recipes, baked noodle casserole