1 pound ground beef
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
5 large potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 large onion, sliced
2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1/2 cup 2% milk
Minced fresh parsley
In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Season with pepper and garlic powder. Layer the beef, potatoes and onion slices in a shallow 2-qt. baking dish. Combine soup and milk; pour over all.
Cover and bake at 350° for 1 to 1/4 hours or until potatoes are tender. Garnish with parsley.
TOTAL TIME:PREP: 20 MIN. BAKE: 1-1/4 HOURS
YIELD:6 SERVINGS
This poor man's meal is a hearty, filling and budget-friendly casserole.
The phrase “poor man’s meal” came about during the Great Depression, when many families struggled to put food on the table. While there are many variations of the recipe, all typically feature a combination of potatoes, onions and some type of inexpensive meat. This poor man’s meal recipe, which is baked in the oven rather than made on the stovetop, features a rich and savory sauce made with cream of mushroom soup.
Poor Man’s Meal Variations
Dice the potatoes: For a quicker cooking time, used diced or cubed potatoes rather than sliced taters. Check for tenderness after about 45 minutes of cooking time in the oven.
Try it with hot dogs: Inexpensive hot dogs are a common ingredient in other poor man’s meal recipes. You can use sliced hot dogs or sausage in place of the beef.
Switch up the soup: Change up the flavor profile by using a different “cream of” soup in place of the cream of mushroom soup. Cream of celery, cream of broccoli or cream of onion would all be great options. Or, for a cheesy poor man’s dinner, use condensed cheddar cheese soup.
How to Store This Poor Man’s Meal
Like any classic casserole recipe, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator.
How long does this poor man’s meal last?
When stored properly in the fridge, our poor man’s meal recipe will last for three to four days.
Can you freeze this poor man’s meal?
Absolutely! If you plan to this make poor man’s meal as a freezer meal, bake the casserole in a freezer-safe baking pan or dish. Let it cool completely. Then, cover it tightly and place it in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Leftovers or individual servings can also be frozen in smaller freezer-safe containers when you want to reheat and enjoy only one portion at a time.
How do you reheat this poor man’s meal?
You can easily reheat the poor man’s meal in the microwave. Transfer leftovers to a microwave-safe dish and cook, covered, for two minutes or until heated through.
Poor Man’s Meal Tips
How do you make this poor man’s meal on the stovetop?
For a simpler stovetop version, you can skip the condensed soup and milk. Instead, add oil to a pan and cook and season the ground beef. Then, remove the seasoned meat from the pan and set it aside. Add the potatoes and onion to the pan and cook until lightly browned and tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the cooked ground beef back into the pan and cook a few minutes longer, until the beef is warmed through. Serve with ketchup or tomato sauce.
What else can you serve with this poor man’s meal?
For a complete meal, serve this poor man’s meal recipe alongside a green salad with a simple oil and vinegar dressing. Quick and easy breadsticks are perfect for sopping up any leftover sauce.
Nutrition Facts
1 each: 272 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 410mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein.