Some recipes earn their place at the table by being fancy, but the ones that stay in a family for generations are usually the simple, dependable kind. This old casserole is one of those supper dishes Midwestern cooks have always known how to lean on: a little pasta, a little beef, a jar from the pantry, and plenty of cheese to bring everybody to the kitchen. It has that church-basement, reunion-table sort of comfort to it, the kind of recipe a person clips from a magazine, tucks into a drawer, and keeps making because it never lets anybody down.
Serve this with a crisp green salad, buttered green beans, or a plate of sliced tomatoes if they're in season. A warm pan of garlic bread or simple dinner rolls fits right in, and if you're feeding a crowd, a fruit salad or a bowl of coleslaw rounds things out nicely without much extra fuss.
Oven Baked 5-Ingredient Husband's Delight Casserole
Servings: 6 to 8
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 jar (24 oz) spaghetti sauce
8 oz wide egg noodles
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set a large pot of salted water on to boil.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease, then stir in the spaghetti sauce and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. While the beef cooks, boil the egg noodles according to the package directions until just tender. Drain well.
4. Spread the drained noodles evenly in the prepared baking dish. Dollop the softened cream cheese over the noodles and gently spread it around as best you can. Spoon the beef and sauce mixture evenly over the top, then finish with the shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until hot and bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and lightly browned. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
6. Scoop into squares or big hearty spoonfuls and serve warm.
Variations & Tips
Add a little seasoning: If you like, you can add a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or black pepper to the beef while it browns. The original charm of this recipe is its simplicity, but a little pantry seasoning never hurt a busy weeknight supper.
Make it extra creamy: For an easier spread, let the cream cheese sit out until very soft before assembling. You can also stir the softened cream cheese a bit with a spoon first so it spreads more gently over the warm noodles.
Change the cheese: Sharp cheddar gives this casserole a good old-fashioned flavor, but a Colby-cheddar blend or even mozzarella on top will work if that's what you have in the refrigerator. Use what suits your family's taste.
Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the casserole a day ahead, cover it, and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake. If baking straight from the refrigerator, add about 10 extra minutes to the oven time so the center gets fully hot.
Leftovers: This reheats beautifully, which is one reason dishes like this show up at reunions and potlucks year after year. Cover and refrigerate leftovers, then warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the baking dish in a low oven until heated through.