The Poor Man Husband Casserole is a comforting, budget-friendly dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or making a hearty meal with simple ingredients. This casserole layers ground beef, pasta, and creamy cheese sauce to create a satisfying and delicious dish that’s sure to become a family favorite. It’s easy to make, and with ingredients you likely already have on hand, it’s a great option for a quick and comforting dinner.

Equipment:

Large skillet
Large pot
9×13-inch baking dish
Mixing bowl
Spatula or wooden spoon
Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients:

1 lb (450g) ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
8 oz (225g) egg noodles or pasta of choice
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup milk
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the egg noodles or pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and set aside.
Cook the Ground Beef:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 7-10 minutes.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Season the beef mixture with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
Prepare the Sauce:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Add the drained diced tomatoes to the beef mixture in the skillet and stir to combine.
Assemble the Casserole:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer the cooked pasta evenly across the bottom.
- Pour the beef and tomato mixture over the pasta, spreading it evenly.
- Pour the creamy sauce over the beef mixture, spreading it to cover the entire dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top.
Bake:
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- If you like a golden, crispy top, you can broil the casserole for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, but watch it closely to avoid burning.
Serve:
- Garnish the casserole with chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve hot, directly from the baking dish.

Tips:

Meat Substitutions: You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef if preferred.
Vegetable Add-Ins: Add frozen peas, corn, or chopped spinach for extra veggies.
Make-Ahead: This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.

The Poor Man Husband Casserole is an easy, budget-friendly dish that delivers big on flavor. With its creamy, cheesy layers and hearty ground beef, it’s a comforting meal that’s perfect for weeknights or any time you need a simple and satisfying dinner. This casserole is sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation!

The Poor Man Husband Casserole

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Equipment

Large skillet
Large pot
9x13-inch baking dish
Mixing bowl
Spatula or wooden spoon
Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

1 lb 450g ground beef
1 small onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
8 oz 225g egg noodles or pasta of choice
1 can 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup milk
1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, drained
Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the egg noodles or pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Drain the pasta and set aside.
Cook the Ground Beef:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 7-10 minutes.
Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Season the beef mixture with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
Prepare the Sauce:
In a mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk. Stir until smooth and well combined.
Add the drained diced tomatoes to the beef mixture in the skillet and stir to combine.
Assemble the Casserole:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer the cooked pasta evenly across the bottom.
Pour the beef and tomato mixture over the pasta, spreading it evenly.
Pour the creamy sauce over the beef mixture, spreading it to cover the entire dish.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top.
Bake:
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
If you like a golden, crispy top, you can broil the casserole for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, but watch it closely to avoid burning.