Poor Man’s Husband Casserole

Poor Man’s Husband Casserole

A hearty, budget-friendly dish with layers of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese—comfort food at its finest!

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 cups thinly sliced potatoes *(about 3-4 medium potatoes, or frozen hash browns for speed)*

• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup (or homemade substitute: recipe here)

• ½ cup milk (or water)

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or any cheese you have)

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional, for depth)

• 1 tsp paprika (or your favorite seasoning blend)

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 1 tbsp oil (for cooking)

Instructions

1. Brown the Meat & Onions

1. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat.

2. Add onion and cook until soft (~3 mins).

3. Add garlic and ground beef, breaking it up. Cook until browned (~5-6 mins). Drain excess fat.

4. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper.

2. Layer the Casserole

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish (or similar).

2. Spread half the sliced potatoes in the dish.

3. Top with all the cooked beef mixture.

4. Add the remaining potatoes.

5. In a bowl, mix cream of mushroom soup + milk, then pour evenly over the top.

6. Sprinkle with cheese.

3. Bake & Serve

1. Cover with foil and bake for 45 mins.

2. Uncover and bake 15-20 mins more until potatoes are tender and cheese is bubbly.

3. Let rest 5 mins before serving.

Tips

💰 Budget swaps: Use instant mashed potatoes or canned potatoes in a pinch.
🌶 Add heat: Toss in diced jalapeños or hot sauce.
🥔 Extra veggies: Layer in carrots, peas, or corn.
🍽 Serving ideas: Pair with a simple salad or crusty bread.

Why It’s Called “Husband Casserole”?

Legend says this dish was so filling and cheap, it kept hardworking husbands full without breaking the bank!

Total cost: ~$10 (feeds 6). Perfect for tight budgets! 😊

(Need a vegetarian version? Swap beef for lentils or mushrooms!)