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Poor Man's Husband Casserole recipe

Poor Man’s Husband Casserole


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  • Author: Keyla Stewart
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

Creamy, cheesy, and budget-friendly, this layered beef noodle casserole is the ultimate comfort food for weeknights.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 8 oz wide egg noodles
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1½ cups tomato sauce
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Optional Additions:

  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Cook the noodles: Boil egg noodles in salted water until just tender (6–7 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  • Sauté aromatics and beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add diced onion; cook 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add beef, cook until browned (6–8 minutes). Drain excess fat.
  • Season and add sauce: Stir in oregano, paprika, salt, pepper, and optional seasonings. Add tomato sauce; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Mix creamy layer: In a bowl, blend sour cream and cream cheese until smooth.
  • Assemble casserole: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a greased 9×13-inch dish, layer half the noodles, half the cream mixture, and half the beef sauce. Repeat.
  • Add cheese topping: Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and optional parsley.
  • Bake: Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Tent with foil if cheese browns too quickly.
  • Cool and serve: Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Substitute ground turkey, lentils, or black beans for beef.
  • Use Greek yogurt or dairy-free alternatives for creaminess.
  • Freeze before or after baking for convenient meals.
  • Add mushrooms, peppers, or spinach for more volume and nutrition.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 435 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 615 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 92 mg