Description
Poor Man’s Husband Casserole is a budget-friendly, comforting dish made with ground beef, pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese. Easy to prepare and packed with flavor, this hearty casserole is a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups cooked egg noodles (or any pasta of choice)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven – Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the Beef Mixture – In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Add Tomato Base – Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Creamy Layer – In a bowl, mix sour cream and softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Assemble the Casserole – Layer half of the cooked pasta in the greased baking dish. Top with half of the beef mixture, then spread half of the creamy layer over it. Repeat with remaining pasta, beef mixture, and creamy layer.
- Add Cheese – Sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Bake – Bake for 25–30 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve – Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- Add Vegetables – Bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Spice It Up – Red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a kick.
- Use Different Cheese – Monterey Jack, Colby, or Parmesan for variety.
- Swap the Protein – Use ground turkey, chicken, or sausage instead of beef.
- Make It Low-Carb – Replace pasta with cooked cauliflower or zucchini noodles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Budget-friendly casserole, ground beef casserole, easy comfort food, family dinner recipe, cheesy pasta bake.