Hey friends! Jeviko here, coming to you from my cozy little kitchen. I’ve got a super simple yet totally delicious casserole recipe to share with you today that I just know you and your family are going to love. It’s my take on a classic – Poor Man’s Husband Casserole.
Don’t let the name fool you – this baked pasta dish is hearty, comforting, and puts a smile on everyone’s face no matter their budget. The best part? It comes together with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. Let’s get cooking!
What Exactly Is Poor Man’s Husband Casserole?
I’m so glad you asked! It’s essentially a loaded baked pasta bake made with ground beef, tomato sauce, cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and egg noodles. All these delicious components get layered up in a baking dish before going into the oven where they meld together into cheesy, saucy perfection.
It’s called “Poor Man’s” because it stretches inexpensive ingredients into a meal the whole family enjoys. But like I said, this humble casserole tastes anything but poor!
Why Should You Make This Easy Baked Pasta?
There’s so many reasons why Poor Man’s Husband Casserole should be on your meal plan! Here’s just a few:
It’s budget-friendly and made with simple pantry staples
You can prep it ahead of time for easy weeknight meals
It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser even picky eaters will love
Perfect comfort food for chilly nights or rainy weekends
Easy to customize to your family’s tastes
Leftovers freeze well for grab-and-go lunches
What Ingredients Do You Need?
Get these easy ingredients ready before you start layering your casserole:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 1⁄2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces egg noodles, cooked
- 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1⁄4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
That’s it! Told you it was simple. Now let’s get to building this tasty bake.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Assembly
Follow these easy steps for casserole success:
- Cook the ground beef: Sauté the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat then season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Cook the egg noodles: Boil the egg noodles per package directions then drain and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together the crushed tomatoes, sour cream, and cream cheese until uniform. Season again to taste.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with a layer of the cooked egg noodles, followed by 1⁄2 the ground beef mixture. Sprinkle with 1⁄2 cup of the cheddar cheese.
- Repeat the layering one more time, ending with the last 1⁄2 cup of cheese.
- Bake: Cover tightly with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 more minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Finish and serve: Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with the chopped parsley. Enjoy!
Tips for Poor Man’s Husband Casserole Success
Here’s a few of my tips for making this easy baked pasta casserole turn out perfect every time:
- Use full fat dairy products for maximum flavor and creaminess
- Add dried herbs like basil or oregano to the sauce for extra dimension
- Stir in cooked veggies like spinach, broccoli, or peas
- Swap ground turkey or chicken for the beef
- Top with crushed crackers or fried onions for crunch
- Allow to rest before serving so flavors can develop
