Poor Man’s Husband Casserole

### Instructions

**Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Ingredients**
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In the meantime, gather all your ingredients and prepare them. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. If you’re using frozen hashbrowns, set them aside to thaw for a few minutes.

**Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef**
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. As it cooks, break it up with a spoon to ensure it cooks evenly. Once the meat is fully browned and no longer pink, drain any excess fat. If you’re using leaner ground turkey, you may not need to drain as much fat.

**Step 3: Sauté the Onion and Garlic**
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant. This step adds an extra layer of flavor to the casserole.

**Step 4: Mix in the Soup and Veggies**
Stir in the can of cream of mushroom soup (or chicken) and the can of mixed vegetables (drained). Add in the milk if you want a creamier texture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let this mixture simmer for a few minutes, allowing all the ingredients to combine and become well-seasoned.

**Step 5: Layer the Casserole**
In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer the ingredients. Start by spreading the frozen hashbrowns or diced potatoes evenly at the bottom of the dish. Then pour the beef and vegetable mixture over the top, spreading it out evenly.

**Step 6: Add the Cheese**
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top of the casserole. This will melt beautifully and create a delicious, gooey topping.

**Step 7: Bake**
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through. The top should be golden brown and slightly crispy.

**Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!**
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This casserole pairs wonderfully with a side salad or some crusty bread for an even heartier meal.

### Why You’ll Love Poor Man’s Husband Casserole

1. **Budget-Friendly**: With ingredients like ground beef, canned soup, and frozen veggies, this casserole won’t stretch your budget. It’s a great meal for feeding a large family without spending a lot of money.

2. **Easy to Make**: This dish requires minimal prep and cooking time. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, and you can even prep it ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready to eat.

3. **Customizable**: You can easily switch up the ingredients based on what you have on hand. Want to use fresh vegetables instead of canned? Go for it! Prefer mashed potatoes instead of hashbrowns? That works too! This recipe is all about making it your own.

4. **Comforting and Filling**: There’s something about the combination of beef, creamy soup, and cheesy goodness that just feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s filling and satisfying, making it a great choice for a hearty dinner.

### Final Thoughts

Poor Man’s Husband Casserole is the kind of dish that proves you don’t need expensive ingredients to create a satisfying and delicious meal. It’s versatile, easy to make, and a sure way to please a crowd. So next time you’re on the hunt for an affordable and tasty dinner idea, give this casserole a try. It’s sure to become a family favorite!

Happy cooking!