Description
Poor Man’s Husband Casserole is a budget-friendly, layered comfort food classic featuring hearty ground beef, rich tomato sauce, creamy sour cream and cottage cheese, and tender egg noodles, all baked with a melty cheddar cheese topping. This satisfying casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd without breaking the bank.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Pasta Mixture
- 8 oz wide egg noodles
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Topping & Garnish
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
- Nonstick cooking spray for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles well and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the tomato sauce, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Mix Pasta with Dairy: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles with cottage cheese and sour cream until evenly mixed.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread half of the noodle and cheese mixture evenly in the greased baking dish. Spoon half of the meat sauce over the noodles and spread gently. Repeat the layering with the remaining noodles and meat sauce. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute ground turkey for the ground beef.
- You can replace cottage cheese with ricotta for a creamier texture.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for a subtle spicy kick.
- Stir in frozen peas or spinach with the noodles for added vegetables and nutrition.
