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Poor Man Husband Casserole

A comforting and hearty dish perfect for busy weeknights, made with simple ingredients for a budget-friendly meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 8 oz Medium egg noodles Cook until al dente.
  • 1 lb Ground beef (80/20 or leaner) Brown in a skillet and drain excess fat.
  • 1 medium Onion (yellow or white) Chopped.
  • 15 oz Canned tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 8 oz Cream cheese Softened.
  • 1 cup Sour cream
  • 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese For topping.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
  2. Cook the egg noodles in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink, draining off any excess fat.
  4. Stir in the tomato sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning; let simmer for 5–10 minutes to develop flavor.
  5. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream, mixing until smooth and creamy.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Start layering the casserole in the prepared baking dish by adding half of the cooked noodles.
  2. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the noodles, then add the remaining noodles, and pour the meat sauce on top.
  3. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over everything.
  4. Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  5. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Let the casserole cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

This casserole is great for leftovers and can be easily prepared ahead of time. Make sure not to overcook the egg noodles as they will continue to cook when baked. You can also add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat mixture for extra nutrition and flavor.