This easy Husband’s Delight casserole is made with layers of creamy egg noodles, savory meat sauce, and plenty of melty cheddar cheese for the ultimate comforting family dinner.
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
Some recipes stick around for decades because they just work. Husband’s Delight is one of those classic casseroles that’s been making its way onto dinner tables for generations. After just one bite, it’s easy to see why! Between the rich meat sauce, creamy noodle layer, and gooey cheddar cheese, every forkful is pure comfort food.
This is one of those simple recipes that’s perfect for busy weeknights because it comes together with pantry staples and doesn’t require any complicated steps. Just layer everything into a baking dish, let the oven do the work, and dinner is served. It’s hearty, filling, and somehow tastes even better the next day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic comfort food. This old-fashioned casserole is cozy, creamy, and incredibly satisfying.
- Easy to make. Simple ingredients and easy layering make this recipe almost foolproof.
- Great for leftovers. It reheats beautifully, making lunch the next day something to look forward to.
- Family friendly. Even picky eaters usually love the creamy noodles and cheesy beef layers.
- Perfect for meal prep. Assemble it ahead of time and bake whenever you’re ready.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delicious recipe. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements on the recipe card below.
- Ground Beef – The hearty base of the casserole that makes it filling and flavorful.
- Salt & Pepper- Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Garlic – Adds fresh savory flavor to the meat sauce.
- Marinara Sauce – Rao’s or your favorite jarred pasta sauce keeps this recipe quick and easy.
- Egg Noodles – Cooked just until al dente so they stay tender after baking.
- Cottage Cheese – Adds creaminess and richness while helping create the signature noodle layer.
- Sour Cream – Makes the filling extra creamy with a slight tang.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Melts into gooey, cheesy layers throughout the casserole.
- Parsley – A fresh garnish that brightens up the finished dish.
How To Make It
Here's how to make this incredibly delicious casserole. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat until browned. Drain any excess grease and lightly season with salt and pepper. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce and let everything simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked egg noodles, cottage cheese, and sour cream until evenly coated. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and spread half of the noodle mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spoon half of the meat sauce over the noodles. Sprinkle with about half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, meat sauce, and finish with the remaining cheddar cheese. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Cook the noodles just until al dente so they don’t become mushy while baking.
- Shred your own cheddar cheese for the smoothest melt.
- Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving so it slices neatly.
- Use a high-quality marinara sauce since it’s one of the main flavors in the dish.
- Season the ground beef with salt and pepper while it cooks for even more flavor.
Variations
- Swap ground beef for Italian sausage or ground turkey.
- Mix mozzarella with the cheddar for an extra cheesy casserole.
- Stir Italian seasoning into the meat sauce for additional flavor.
- Add sautéed onions or mushrooms to the beef mixture.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top before baking.
What to Serve With It
This hearty casserole pairs perfectly with Homemade Garlic Bread, dinner rolls, salad, Roasted Broccoli or Green Beans. It’s also delicious with roasted vegetables if you want to round out the meal.
Can I Use Ricotta Instead Of Cottage Cheese?
Yes. Ricotta creates a smoother texture, while cottage cheese gives the casserole its classic old-fashioned taste.
Can This Be Made Ahead Of Time?
Yes! Assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, microwave individual portions until hot or cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes.
You can also freeze the baked casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Other Casserole Recipes
There's just something so comforting about a warm casserole dinner. I've rounded up all my Best Casserole Recipes so you can find them easily in one place.
Husband’s Delight Recipe
Equipment
- 9" x 13" baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Pound Egg Noodles
- 24 Oz Marinara Sauce
- 16 Oz Sour Cream
- 16 Oz Cottage Cheese
- 3 Cups Cheddar Cheese, hand shredded
- Parsley-for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat until browned. Drain any excess grease and lightly season with salt and pepper. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce and let everything simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked egg noodles, cottage cheese, and sour cream until evenly coated. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and spread half of the noodle mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Spoon half of the meat sauce over the noodles. Sprinkle with about half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, meat sauce, and finish with the remaining cheddar cheese.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it rest for 5- 10 minutes, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving and enjoy!
Video
Other Easy Noodle Recipes
If you like super easy to make noodle recipes like this one, you have to try this Crockpot Chicken & Noodles, Crockpot Beef & Noodles and my famous Creamy Cafeteria Noodles.
Alyssa L says
Incredibly flavorful and DELICIOUS, mouthwatering recipe..... literally 100x better than a standard lasagna in my opinion! I give this recipe a 12/10! Thank you 🙂 Melt in your mouth YUM !
Kathi says
Loved this recipe ! Easy to make Ingredients are usually on hand. Makes a lot - Husband LOVED it !!
Al Dente Diva says
Absolutely!
Tonia Hamblen says
Can u use spaghetti sauce