Poor Man Husband Casserole (Printable Version)

# What You’ll Need:

→ Main Components

01 - 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 blend
02 - 16 oz can tomato sauce
03 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
04 - 8 oz sour cream
05 - 8 oz egg noodles, wide variety
06 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

→ Seasonings

07 - 2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
08 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
09 - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
10 - Salt, to taste
11 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and let it come to full temperature while you prepare the ingredients.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon until fully browned. Drain excess fat, then add minced garlic and Italian seasoning.
03 - Stir in the tomato sauce and sugar, then season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 3-5 minutes to let the flavors combine.
04 - In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and sour cream. Mix until smooth without lumps.
05 - Boil egg noodles in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain well to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
06 - Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer half the noodles on the bottom, spread half the cream mixture over them, followed by half the meat sauce. Repeat layering with remaining noodles, cream mixture, and meat sauce. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
07 - Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to make it easier to cut clean slices.
02 - Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth mixture.
03 - Drain the beef fat to prevent a greasy texture and enhance flavors.
04 - This casserole reheats well, making it great for leftovers.
05 - You can assemble this ahead of time and refrigerate. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if starting cold.