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Poor Man Husband Casserole Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 33 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Poor Man Husband Casserole is a hearty and comforting baked pasta dish featuring layers of tender egg noodles, savory ground beef simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, and a creamy blend of sour cream and cream cheese, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. This budget-friendly casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners and serves 5 generously.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pasta

  • 8 ounces egg noodles, cooked according to package directions

For the 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

For the Creamy Layer

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 8 ounces sour cream

Topping

  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
  2. Prepare the baking dish: Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  3. Cook the pasta: Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions. Once done, drain and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
  4. Cook the ground beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and cook the ground beef until thoroughly browned. Drain any excess grease to reduce fat content.
  5. Add seasonings to meat: Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the cooked beef. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
  6. Add sugar: Stir in the sugar to balance the acidity of the tomato sauce.
  7. Mix in tomato sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and stir everything together evenly.
  8. Simmer the meat sauce: Let the meat sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
  9. Prepare creamy mixture: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.
  10. Assemble the first layer: Spread half of the cooked egg noodles evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  11. Add half the creamy mixture: Dollop and spread half of the sour cream and cream cheese mixture over the noodles.
  12. Add half the meat sauce: Spoon half of the meat and tomato sauce mixture over the creamy layer, spreading evenly.
  13. Repeat layers: Repeat layering with the remaining noodles, creamy mixture, and meat sauce to create a second layer.
  14. Top with cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top of the casserole.
  15. Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • For extra flavor, add chopped onions or bell peppers to the beef while cooking.
  • If you prefer a spicier casserole, add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the meat sauce mixture.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • To make it Gluten Free, use gluten-free pasta instead of egg noodles.

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Find it online: https://breakfasttodinner.com/poor-man-husband-casserole-recipe/