Description
Poor man’s husband casserole brings hearty comfort straight from Midwestern kitchens with ground beef, noodles, and creamy cheese sauce. Home cooks will savor this budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing meal that delivers maximum satisfaction without breaking the bank.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 8 ounces (226 grams) egg noodles, cooked
Dairy:
- 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces (226 grams) sour cream
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 2 cans (30 ounces / 850 grams) tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook egg noodles following package instructions, then drain and set aside, ensuring they remain slightly firm.
- In a skillet heated to medium-high, thoroughly brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles and eliminating excess fat.
- Enhance the beef with garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Incorporate sugar and tomato sauce, allowing the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes to develop robust flavors.
- Create a creamy base by blending softened cream cheese and sour cream until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Construct the first casserole layer by spreading half the cooked noodles across the baking dish’s bottom, followed by an even layer of cream cheese mixture and meat sauce.
- Complete the layering process by repeating the noodle, cream cheese, and meat sauce sequence, then generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
Notes
- Trim Fat for Healthier Twist by draining ground beef thoroughly and using lean meat to reduce overall calorie and fat content.
- Customize Cheese Options with low-fat or alternative cheese varieties like part-skim mozzarella or dairy-free alternatives for lactose-intolerant individuals.
- Boost Nutrition by incorporating diced vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini into the meat sauce for added vitamins and fiber.
- Make Gluten-Free by substituting egg noodles with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining delicious flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 617 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1450 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg