Description
Hearty Poor Man’s Husband Casserole delivers comfort and simplicity on a single plate. Layers of ground beef, potatoes, and creamy cheese create a satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb bacon, chopped
Starches:
- 2 cups egg noodles
- 1 cup instant rice
Dairy and Binding:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup milk
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Garnish:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, crisp the chopped bacon over medium-high heat until golden and rendered, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon drippings in the pan.
- Using the same skillet with bacon drippings, sauté the diced onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into crumbly pieces, and cook until completely browned and no pink remains, about 7-8 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture, then return to the skillet and stir in cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, salt, and black pepper, creating a rich, creamy sauce.
- Meanwhile, cook egg noodles and instant rice according to package instructions, then drain thoroughly.
- Combine the cooked noodles, rice, meat mixture, and half of the crispy bacon in the prepared baking dish, ensuring even distribution.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the top, followed by breadcrumbs and remaining bacon pieces.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and the top turns golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter version that’s equally delicious and diet-friendly.
- Save time by using pre-cooked bacon or turkey bacon to reduce overall cooking steps and fat content while maintaining incredible flavor.
- Consider adding frozen mixed vegetables like peas or carrots directly into the casserole for extra nutrition and vibrant color without changing the core recipe.
- Gluten-sensitive individuals can replace regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives or crushed pork rinds to maintain the perfect crispy topping texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg