Poor Man’s Meal

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 Ingredients

• Ground beef: This versatile ingredient is the foundation of many hearty and filling recipes using 1 pound of ground beef. You can use either 80/20 or 90/10 lean beef in this recipe.
• Seasoning: This poor man’s dinner with ground beef is seasoned simply with pepper and garlic powder.
• Potatoes: Sliced potatoes make up the bulk of this recipe. The best type of potato to use in this instance is either russet or Yukon Gold potatoes.
• Onion: Either a yellow or white onion is an ideal onion variety to use in this poor man’s meal recipe. Both potatoes and onions are inexpensive produce and are perfect for long-term storage. But to ensure they last, be sure to store potatoes and onions separately.
• Cream of mushroom soup: Cream of mushroom soup lends a rich, savory flavor to the poor man’s dinner. We consider this soup a pantry staple, especially because there are so many delicious recipes with cream of mushroom soup.
• Milk: Combine 2% milk with the soup to make a creamy sauce for the beef and potatoes.
• Fresh parsley: A garnish of fresh parsley adds a pop of color and fresh flavor to the dish.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the ground beef

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Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, cook the beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain. Season with pepper and garlic powder.

Step 2: Layer the beef and vegetables

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Layer the beef, potatoes and onion slices in a shallow 2-quart baking dish.

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Combine the soup and milk, and pour the mixture over everything.

Step 3: Bake the meal

Cover and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Garnish with parsley.

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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

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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.