Description
Poor Man’s Casserole brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending affordable ingredients into a satisfying meal that stretches your budget without skimping on flavor. Hearty ground beef, creamy mashed potatoes, and melted cheese create a classic dish your family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups cooked pasta
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 small onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (10 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
Seasoning Ingredients:
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown 1 lb ground beef with 1 small diced onion until meat is completely cooked.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet and season the beef mixture with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour 15 oz tomato sauce, 10 oz cream of mushroom soup, and ½ cup sour cream into the skillet, stirring until mixture is smooth and hot.
- Spread 1 cup of cooked pasta across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
- Spoon half the beef mixture over the pasta layer and sprinkle ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Repeat with remaining 1 cup pasta, beef mixture, and another ¾ cup cheddar cheese.
- Distribute 1 cup mozzarella cheese evenly across the top of the casserole.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes at 350°F.
- Remove foil and continue baking for 10 more minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Choose ground beef with a moderate fat content for the best flavor and texture in your casserole.
- Drain the meat thoroughly to prevent a greasy dish and ensure the sauce stays thick and creamy.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or lean ground beef and use low-fat dairy products.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or basil can add a bright finish and enhance the overall taste of the casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg