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This Poor Man’s Husband Casserole is an old-fashioned dinner classic made with ground beef, noodles, tomato sauce, sour cream, and cheese. It’s the kind of cozy, satisfying meal you’d expect from grandma’s kitchen — economical, filling, and always a hit. Perfect for potlucks, meal trains, or weeknight dinners on a budget.
⏱ Prep Time
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 25–30 minutes
- Total: ~45 minutes
🛠 Equipment
- Large skillet
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Large pot (for boiling noodles)
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Colander
- Foil (if baking ahead or freezing)
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 oz egg noodles (or any pasta)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp butter (optional, for noodles)
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Beef: Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat or light both work. Soften before mixing for smoother texture.
- Tomato Sauce: Can be swapped with marinara or pasta sauce for more flavor.
- Sour Cream: Greek yogurt can be subbed for a lighter version.
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Cook Noodles
- Boil noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain, toss with a little butter if desired, and set aside.
2. Make Meat Sauce
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned.
- Drain excess fat.
- Add garlic, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5–7 minutes.
3. Prepare Creamy Layer
- In a bowl, mix sour cream and softened cream cheese until smooth.
4. Assemble the Casserole
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
- Layer half the noodles in the bottom.
- Spread all of the cream cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Add remaining noodles.
- Top with the meat sauce.
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese evenly on top.
5. Bake
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until bubbly and cheese is melted.
- Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
📊 Nutrition Facts (per serving, ~8 servings, approx.)
- Calories: 430
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 26g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
(Values vary based on brands and swaps)
💡 Tips
- Make-Ahead: Assemble, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze before baking.
- Freezer-Friendly: Freeze unbaked or baked casserole for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
- Extra Veggies: Add chopped spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the meat sauce.
- Creamier Texture: Add ¼ cup milk to the cream cheese mixture if it’s too thick.
🔄 Variations
- Mexican-Inspired: Swap tomato sauce for enchilada sauce and add taco seasoning, black beans, and Monterey Jack cheese.
- Spicy: Use hot Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper to the meat sauce.
- Low-Carb: Use cooked spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles in place of egg noodles.
- Cheese Swap: Try mozzarella or Colby Jack for a milder, stretchier cheese pull.
