Poor Man's Husband Casserole
Creamy, comforting, and satisfyingly cheesy, Poor Man's Husband Casserole is a budget-friendly dish that combines egg noodles, ground beef, and a rich cream cheese layer.
Servings: 6 servings
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Dish
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 8 ounces egg noodles cooked according to package directions and drained
- 1.5 pounds ground beef browned and drained
- 30 ounces tomato sauce 2 cans
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced (fresh or jarred)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup sour cream chilled
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided if desired for extra browning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Brown until no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, stir to combine, and season with salt and pepper. Let simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Whisk until smooth.
- Layer half of the cooked noodles in the baking dish. Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the noodles, then half of the meat sauce.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, cream mixture, and meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding Worcestershire sauce to the meat sauce or incorporating vegetables like bell peppers or spinach.