Description
Poor Man’s Husband Casserole is a hearty and comforting baked dish made with ground beef, pasta, and a creamy mushroom sauce topped with melted cheese. This easy casserole combines simple pantry ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cook Pasta: Prepare the elbow macaroni by boiling it according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Once cooked, add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in Italian seasoning, diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Allow this mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Mix Cream Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup with the sour cream until smooth and well blended.
- Assemble Casserole: Layer half of the cooked elbow macaroni in the greased baking dish. Spread the beef and tomato mixture evenly over the pasta. Cover with the remaining macaroni.
- Add Cream Sauce and Cheese: Pour the mushroom soup and sour cream mixture evenly over the layered casserole. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese has melted and turned golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving, making it easier to slice and enhance flavors.
Notes
- For a lower fat version, use lean ground beef or ground turkey and reduced-fat cheeses.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with homemade cream sauce for a fresher taste.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to increase nutritional value.
- Make ahead option: Assemble the casserole and refrigerate overnight before baking.
- To keep it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and check soup label ingredients.
