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Poor Man’s Casserole

Comforting Poor Man’s Casserole for Budget-Friendly Family Dinners

This Poor Man’s Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, creamy noodles, and cheese for a cozy, budget-friendly meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 500
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Mixture
  • 1 pound Ground Beef lean beef preferred
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning or oregano, basil, and thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder or 1 clove fresh garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Tony’s Seasoning or any Cajun seasoning
  • 1 cup Minced Onion fresh onion for extra texture
  • 1 cup Diced Onion or shallots for a milder flavor
For the Sauce
  • 15 ounces Tomato Sauce or crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup Water or chicken/beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar omit if using sweetened sauce
For the Creamy Base
  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese or Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup Sour Cream or Greek yogurt
For the Noodles and Cheese
  • 8 ounces Wide Egg Noodles gluten-free pasta as alternative
  • 2 cups Colby Jack Cheese or cheddar/mozzarella

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Skillet
  • Pot
  • Casserole dish
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Dice the onion finely and set aside.
  3. Cook the wide egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain well.
  4. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, minced onion, and diced onion for 8-10 minutes.
  5. Stir in the tomato sauce, water, and sugar. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.
  6. In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.
  7. Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish and layer the beef sauce, noodles, and cheese.
  8. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For best results, avoid overcooking noodles and distribute cheese evenly during layering.

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