Description
Hearty Poor Man’s Casserole promises comfort and nostalgia with layers of budget-friendly ingredients that blend perfectly. Savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal that warms hearts and fills bellies without breaking the bank.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Pasta and Sauce:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) egg noodles, cooked according to package directions
- 2 cans (30 ounces / 850 grams) tomato sauce
- 8 ounces (226 grams) sour cream
Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Boil egg noodles until perfectly tender, then thoroughly drain and rinse to remove excess starch.
- Transform ground beef into crumbly, well-cooked morsels by sautéing in a skillet, carefully eliminating accumulated fat.
- Elevate the meat’s flavor profile by incorporating minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, ensuring even distribution.
- Introduce sweetness with sugar, then cascade tomato sauce over the seasoned meat, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld flavors.
- Create a luxurious cream base by blending sour cream and softened cream cheese until smooth and homogeneous.
- Construct the first layer of the casserole by spreading half the cooked noodles as a foundation, followed by an even layer of cream mixture and meat sauce.
- Mirror the previous layer, strategically positioning remaining noodles, cream mixture, and meat sauce to ensure balanced flavor distribution.
- Crown the casserole with a generous blanket of shredded cheddar cheese, promising a golden, melted finish when baked.
- Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven and bake until the cheese melts and turns slightly golden, typically 25-30 minutes.
Notes
- Make sure to drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease in the casserole, which can make the dish soggy and less appetizing.
- Softening cream cheese at room temperature helps it blend smoothly with sour cream, creating a more consistent creamy layer.
- Use low-fat dairy options like reduced-fat cream cheese and sour cream to create a lighter version of the dish without sacrificing flavor.
- For a gluten-free alternative, substitute egg noodles with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg