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“Poor Man’s Husband Casserole” is a comforting, budget-friendly dish that typically uses inexpensive ingredients to create a hearty, satisfying meal. The name often refers to using basic, pantry staples—especially ground meat or other low-cost proteins—along with potatoes, vegetables, and cheese. The ingredients and specific preparation may vary, but here’s a simple version you can try:
Poor Man’s Husband Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 can of cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, etc.)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1/2 cup milk or water (to thin out the soup if needed)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat until the meat is browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess fat.
- Season the beef: Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika (if using) to the beef mixture and stir to combine.
- Prepare the casserole dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer the bottom with half of the sliced potatoes, slightly overlapping.
- Layer the casserole:
- Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the potatoes.
- Add the frozen vegetables on top of the beef.
- Pour the cream of mushroom soup over the layers. If it seems too thick, mix it with a little milk or water to loosen it up.
- Layer the remaining potatoes on top.
- Bake the casserole: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Add cheese (optional): If desired, sprinkle shredded cheese over the casserole in the last 10 minutes of baking, then return to the oven uncovered to melt the cheese.
- Serve: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
This dish is a great way to stretch a pound of meat and turn it into a filling family meal. It’s simple, adaptable, and can be made with what you have on hand!