Description
Hearty Poor Man’s Husband Casserole delivers comfort with layers of ground beef, noodles, and creamy cheese, perfect for budget-friendly family dinners. Warm, satisfying flavors blend seamlessly, promising a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (or ground turkey)
Pasta and Base:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) egg noodles (or any pasta)
- 1 (8 ounces) package cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Sauces and Tomato Products:
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 (8 ounces) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Topping:
- ½ cup crushed crackers or breadcrumbs (optional, for crunch)
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of generously salted water and cook egg noodles until perfectly tender, ensuring they maintain a slight bite. Carefully drain and set aside, allowing them to cool slightly.
- Heat a robust skillet over medium flame and brown ground beef with finely chopped onions, creating a rich, caramelized foundation. Eliminate excess fat, then infuse the meat with minced garlic, aromatic Italian seasoning, diced tomatoes, tangy tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Allow the beef mixture to simmer and meld flavors, developing a deep, savory profile that will anchor the casserole’s taste. Remove from heat once liquid reduces and ingredients integrate harmoniously.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whip cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, and onion powder into a silky, luxurious blend that will provide creamy contrast to the robust meat layer.
- Preheat the oven to a steady 350F, preparing a generously greased baking vessel for the upcoming layered masterpiece.
- Construct the casserole with precise layers: first, a foundation of noodles, then spread the entire creamy cheese mixture evenly across the surface. Crown with remaining noodles and the seasoned beef mixture.
- Generously scatter shredded cheddar cheese across the top, creating a golden, melting blanket. Optional: sprinkle crushed crackers or breadcrumbs for an additional textural dimension.
- Bake until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, bronzed landscape and edges become slightly crisp, approximately 25-30 minutes.
- Allow the casserole to rest briefly after removing from the oven, permitting flavors to settle and making serving easier. Slice and present while still warmly inviting.
Notes
- Customize noodle types by swapping egg noodles with gluten-free pasta, whole wheat noodles, or zucchini noodles for dietary preferences and nutritional variety.
- Reduce fat content by using lean ground beef, turkey, or plant-based meat alternatives, which maintain protein levels while cutting calories.
- Create make-ahead magic by assembling the casserole in advance and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, perfect for busy weeknight meal planning.
- Elevate flavor complexity by experimenting with different cheese blends like pepper jack, smoked gouda, or adding fresh herbs like chopped parsley or basil for brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg