This Poor Man’s Husband Casserole is comfort food at its finest—hearty, cheesy, and budget-friendly. Layers of tender noodles, creamy filling, savory beef, and gooey melted cheddar come together in one cozy bake. It’s a family favorite that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces egg noodles, cooked according to package directions
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 2 cans (30 ounces total) tomato sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Cook the beef:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, pepper, and tomato sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes. - Prepare the creamy layer:
In a medium bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy. - Layer the casserole:
- Spread half of the cooked egg noodles in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Pour half of the beef mixture on top.
- Repeat layers with remaining noodles, cream cheese mixture, and beef sauce.
- Top with cheese:
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole. - Bake:
Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5–10 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden. - Serve:
Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Enjoy warm!