Poor Man’s Husband Casserole (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Meat and Aromatics
01 -
450 g ground beef
02 -
1 small onion, diced
03 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce and Seasoning
04 -
425 g canned tomato sauce
05 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
06 -
Salt, to taste
07 -
Black pepper, to taste
→ Pasta and Dairy
08 -
225 g wide egg noodles or substitute pasta
09 -
240 ml cottage cheese or ricotta
10 -
120 ml sour cream
11 -
170 g shredded cheddar cheese
12 -
28 g butter (optional, for richness)
# Instructions:
01 -
Set oven to 175°C and prepare a 33x23 cm baking dish by lightly greasing it.
02 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add noodles and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 -
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until beef is browned and onion is softened. Drain excess fat.
04 -
Stir tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. Simmer for 5–10 minutes to concentrate flavors.
05 -
Mix cottage cheese, sour cream, and a small amount of salt and pepper in a bowl. Gently fold in the cooked noodles to coat evenly.
06 -
Spread half of the noodle and dairy mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half the meat sauce and sprinkle with half the cheddar cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with cheese.
07 -
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden.
08 -
Let the casserole rest for several minutes before portioning and serving. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
# Notes:
01 -
Cream cheese may be used in place of sour cream for a richer result.
02 -
Incorporate frozen peas or chopped spinach into the meat sauce for added vegetables.
03 -
Cheddar may be substituted with mozzarella or a mixed cheese blend.
04 -
Prepare in advance and refrigerate; if baking straight from cold, extend bake time by 10 minutes.