At first glance this may seem like just another macaroni and hamburger casserole. Not so! This Poverty Casserole recipe is good enough for company. The ingredients may start out like a normal casserole, but with the addition of sun dried tomatoes and a little cream this casserole becomes something special! This recipe is adapted from one of my favorite cookbooks, Cold Weather Cooking. The story is that Sarah Leah Chase developed this recipe as an attempt to make a quick and humble supper of hamburg and macaroni. Like I’ve said before I’ve never made a recipe from this book that wasn’t absolutely delicious! This recipe makes 4-6 servings.
Poverty Casserole or Fancy Baked Hamburg and Macaroni Casserole
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground beef
8 whole sun dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and minced
1 can (28oz) crushed tomatoes in puree
2 Tbsp. Oregano
2 tsp. Dried marjoram
Salt and pepper to taste
1 box (16oz) ziti
2 large eggs
2/3 cup heavy or whipping cream
2 cups shredded mozzarella
3 Tbsp. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Before getting started preheat your oven to 350. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for five minutes. Stir in the ground beef and cook until it looses it’s pink color. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and seasonings. Let the mixture simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile cook the ziti in a large pot of salted water until al dente, and drain.
Whisk the eggs and cream together in the bottom of a 3 quart Dutch oven or other ovenproof casserole. Quickly toss the drained ziti with the eggs and cream. Add the meat mixture and stir to combine thoroughly. Fold in 1 ½ cups of the mozzarella. Top the pasta mixture with the remaining ½ cup mozzarella and the Parmesan.
Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole in bubbling. Serve at once with a salad and some bread.
Once you try this Poverty Casserole you may never go bake to the basic recipe for hamburger and noodles again. The addition of the sun dried tomatoes gives this dish a wonderful flavor. Enjoy!
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Nancy on the Home Front 
That does look delicious! Pinned.
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Joanne,
Tastes delicious, much better tasting than it actually looks in the photos! 🙂
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It looks delicious – not sure about the “poverty” part with all the cheese and cream? Maybe it’s because the meat you use is cheap and it’s bulked up with pasta? I’d eat it in a heartbeat!
Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
B for Believe in Yourself
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This recipe sounds delicious. I love casseroles they are just the thing when in a hurry or feeding a crowd.
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Pasta bakes like this one are so delicious! Thank you for sharing your recipe at the #HomeMattersParty this week.
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It sounds delicious to me! Thanks for linking up at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.
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This is my kind of recipe. LOVE CASSEROLES.
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Delicious but I don’t know why it’s called Poverty Casserole, there was no poverty with those ingredients.
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Maria,
It’s an old recipe from my mother and I’m not sure why it is called poverty casserole, maybe because the ingredients used to be cheaper??
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Love your recipes but why can”t I print them out? I don”t do Pintrest etc. It’s impossible to write them down and don”t have a computer in my kitchen. I am 85 but still love to cook and try new recipes.
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Marilyn,
I am sorry I need to add some sort of printing button to my blog, please stay tuned!
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I HAVE RAN INTO THAT PROBLEM BEFORE MYSELF AND WHAT I HAVE DONE IS TOOK A PICTURE OF THE RECIPE VIA MY CELL PHONE, MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE (2) PICTURES BUT DONE IN A JIFFY AND NO WRITING NOTHING DOWN.
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Cindy,
Good option. I am working on getting a print option into my website! 🙂
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Looks like a delicious and filling meal!
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I add frozen corn. Delish!
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Vicki,
Excellent addition idea, I love adding corn to casseroles!
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I just made this. I followed the recipe, but added a pound of sausage, about a cup of Ricotta cheese, and some crushed red pepper, along with one cup of spaghetti sauce. It is delicious! This recipe is a definite keeper.
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Gina,
Those sound like delicious additions! 🙂
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Oh that looks so perfectly cooked! Thank you for sharing at the What’s for Dinner Party – hope to see you again this week!
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Oh my this is so good my boyfriend is a picky one when it comes to casseroles but he said this one was perfect of course I will have make a double next time so he can have leftovers for days as he said .I love your meal plans ,thank you for sharing .
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Debbie,
so glad your husband enjoyed this casserole! It was a hit in our household!
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Delicious! I made this tonight for the first time. I doubled the garlic and the ground beef. All family members liked it a lot which is usually tough to come by.
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Shannon,
so glad it was a hit with your family. Doubling the garlic is a great idea!
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This really sounds and looks delicious!! But who says “hamburg” ???
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Shan, I guess I do!
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We grew up saying hamburg lol…Must be an Ohio thing!
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D. Stokes, that would explain things I grew up saying hamburg as well and my mom was from Ohio! 🙂
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Congratulations!
Your post is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week and we have pinned it to our special Features Board. Thanks so much for sharing with us and enjoy your new Red Plate!
Miz Helen
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Mix Helen,
Thanks for the feature!!
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This sounds wonderful. Have you ever made it ahead of time and baked it just before serving?
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Michelle,
This is absolutely one of those casseroles you could make ahead and bake just before serving!
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Perfect. I’m going to make it for Sunday dinner. Thanks so much!
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Michelle,
You’re welcome, let me know how everyone likes it! 🙂
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