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Poor Man’s Casserole

Savory Poor Man’s Casserole: Comfort Food for All!

A budget-friendly Poor Man’s Casserole with layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy noodles, and melted cheese.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Mixture
  • 1 pound Ground Beef or turkey or chicken for a leaner option
  • 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning dried oregano and basil work in a pinch
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder fresh minced garlic makes a delightful substitute
  • 1 teaspoon Tony’s Seasoning any Cajun seasoning will do
  • 1 small Minced Onion use fresh diced onion for extra crunch
  • 1 small Onion (diced) leeks or shallots can be a lovely alternative
  • 1 cup Tomato Sauce marinara sauce can elevate the flavor
  • 1 cup Water to thin the sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Sugar honey or sugar substitute works fine
For the Creamy Layer
  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese Neufchâtel cheese is a lighter option
  • 1 cup Sour Cream Greek yogurt can be substituted
  • 12 ounces Wide Egg Noodles gluten-free noodles are a great alternative
For the Cheesy Topping
  • 2 cups Colby Jack Cheese (shredded) Cheddar or Monterey Jack are tasty substitutes

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Skillet
  • Large pot
  • Baking dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Dice the small onion finely and set it aside.
  3. In a large pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil, add the wide egg noodles, and cook until al dente, about 7-9 minutes.
  4. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef along with the diced onion, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and Tony’s seasoning for about 8-10 minutes.
  5. Stir in the tomato sauce, water, and sugar; allow to simmer for about 5 minutes.
  6. Blend the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth, then fold in the cooked egg noodles.
  7. In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, layer ⅓ of the meat sauce, half of the creamy noodle mixture, and half of the shredded cheese; repeat layers, finishing with cheese on top.
  8. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden-brown.
  9. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Customize with your favorite veggies or spices for added nutrition and flavor.

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