If you grew up on cozy, no-nonsense dinners that stretched a dollar and still made everyone happy, Poor Man's Casserole is about to feel like an old friend. This baked comfort food comes out bubbly and cheesy, smells like dinner means business, and delivers a simple, filling meal that always hits the spot!
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What makes this recipe irresistible
This recipe sticks around for a reason. It checks all the boxes busy home cooks care about; simple ingredients, familiar flavors, and a method that doesn't ask for anything fancy or fussy.
The creamy layer keeps the noodles tender, the seasoned beef brings hearty flavor, and the cheesy topping ties everything together in a way that feels generous and satisfying.
It's dependable, crowd-friendly, and flexible enough for weeknights, leftovers, or feeding a table of hungry people without overthinking dinner.
Poor Man's Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9x13 casserole dish
- 1 large stockpot
- 1 Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 ½ teaspoons Montreal steak seasoning
- 8 ounce package egg noodles
- 8 ounce block cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 24 ounce jar pasta sauce or marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles until just tender, drain, and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with diced onion and steak seasoning until the beef is no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
- Stir the pasta sauce into the beef mixture and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add the cooked noodles and stir to coat evenly.
- Spread half of the beef mixture in the prepared baking dish. Top with the creamy noodle mixture, then spread the remaining beef mixture over the top. Sprinkle with 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese (reserve the rest for later).
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle remaining cheese on top, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Delicious over egg noodles or mashed potatoes, enjoy!
Nutrition
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Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card for the exact ingredients.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Yes. Assemble everything, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes, then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
Cut it into cubes and let it sit on the counter for about 15-20 minutes. Smaller pieces soften faster and mix more smoothly with the sour cream.
Short, sturdy pasta works well here. If you swap the egg noodles, stick with shapes that hold sauce and don't get mushy after baking.
Layering makes all the difference
Spread each layer evenly, right to the edge. Taking a minute to push the layers into the corners helps the casserole bake uniformly so every slice has the same balance of creamy, meaty, and cheesy goodness. 😋
More cozy casseroles
If you're leaning into comforting, no-frills dinners, a few other favorites fit right into this rotation. Creamy Beef Noodle Casserole brings that same rich, baked-dinner comfort with a familiar noodle base that holds up beautifully for leftovers. Lasagna Hamburger Helper delivers all the cozy vibes of classic lasagna without the layering marathon, making it a smart pick for weeknights!
And when you're craving something hearty without a lot of extras, Poor Man's Steak offers an old-school, filling dinner that keeps things simple and satisfying. All three share that dependable, family-friendly feel that makes dinnertime easier.
Serving suggestions
This casserole serves well straight from the pan, but a simple side makes it feel like a full, rounded meal! A crisp green salad or steamed green beans add a little freshness to balance the creamy layers. Garlic bread, dinner rolls, or even a slice of buttered toast work great for scooping up any extra sauce.
If you're feeding a crowd, it pairs nicely with something light and crunchy on the side, letting the casserole stay front and center where it belongs.
A comfort food casserole you'll make on repeat
This is one of those recipes that earns its keep-easy to make, comforting to serve, and reliable enough to come back to again and again. It works just as well for busy nights as it does for sharing with family or enjoying leftovers later.
When you make it, leave a comment and let me know how it turned out, or save it for later so it's ready the next time you need a no-stress dinner that everyone looks forward to.
Rhonda says
Hello!
I’m going to try this. It calls for Montreal Steak Seasoning; but in the Instructions #3 it indicates to brown beef with garlic and I don’t see the Steak Seasoning used anywhere in the instructions. Assuming you mean the Steak Seasoning, not garlic? Just an fyi, it looks tasty. Thank you!
Debra Clark says
Hey Rhonda - sorry about that! I just corrected the recipe card. Thanks so much for bringing that to my attention! Enjoy the casserole, I hope you and your family really enjoy it!