Description
Poor Man’s Casserole is a nostalgic, hearty American dish that combines ground beef, creamy noodles, and rich cheese in a baked casserole. It comes together quickly and serves as a comforting, family-friendly lunch or dinner option perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 ½ teaspoons Montreal steak seasoning
Pasta
- 8 ounce package egg noodles
Dairy
- 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Other
- 24 ounce jar pasta sauce or marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Cook the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook until just tender, about 7-8 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook the beef mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion and Montreal steak seasoning, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Simmer with sauce: Stir the pasta or marinara sauce into the cooked beef mixture and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors and heat through.
- Prepare creamy noodle mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream, mixing until smooth. Add the cooked noodles and stir well to coat them evenly with the creamy mixture.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread half of the beef and sauce mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Next, layer the creamy noodle mixture over the beef. Top with the remaining beef mixture, spreading it evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese on top (reserve the remaining ½ cup for later).
- Bake covered: Cover the casserole loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Add remaining cheese and finish baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This dish pairs wonderfully with extra egg noodles or creamy mashed potatoes. Enjoy your comforting Poor Man’s Casserole!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Adding vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef mixture can increase nutrition and flavor.
- Make sure to not overcook the egg noodles as they will bake further in the oven and can become mushy.
- Use full-fat dairy for best creamy texture and flavor.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch or Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
