Description
Hearty Poor Man’s Husband Casserole delivers comfort and classic midwest charm with layers of ground beef, potatoes, and creamy cheese sauce. Home cooks seeking simple, satisfying meals will appreciate this budget-friendly dinner that brings warmth to family tables.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground sausage
Dairy and Noodles:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 12 oz egg noodles
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook egg noodles in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 7-8 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef and sausage over medium-high heat, breaking meat into small crumbles until no pink remains, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture, then return to the skillet and sprinkle onion soup mix, garlic powder, and black pepper, stirring to evenly distribute seasonings.
- In a separate mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, and half of the shredded cheddar until smooth and creamy.
- Gently fold the cooked noodles into the cheese mixture, ensuring each noodle is thoroughly coated.
- Transfer the noodle-cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly across the surface.
- Layer the seasoned meat mixture over the noodles, creating a uniform coverage.
- Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs over the top, creating a golden, crispy topping.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and breadcrumbs turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Customize meat options by substituting ground beef and sausage with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for healthier alternatives.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium onion soup mix and selecting reduced-fat cheese varieties.
- Make the dish gluten-free by choosing gluten-free egg noodles and replacing breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour.
- Create a vegetarian version by swapping meat with roasted vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers seasoned similarly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg