Beef Lombardi Casserole (Print version)
Comforting bake of ground beef, tomatoes, egg noodles and creamy cheese, ideal for family dinners.
# What goes in:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauces & Seasonings
04 - 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
05 - 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Pasta
10 - 8 ounces egg noodles
→ Dairy
11 - 1 cup sour cream
12 - 1 cup small curd cottage cheese
13 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
# Cooking steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in diced tomatoes with liquid, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes to develop flavors.
05 - Boil egg noodles in a large saucepan according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
06 - In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese until smooth.
07 - Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish. Layer half of the cooked noodles, then half of the sour cream-cottage cheese mixture, then half of the beef mixture. Repeat with remaining noodles, dairy mixture, and beef.
08 - Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer.
09 - Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling.
10 - Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes to set before serving portions.
# Tips from flavorandfeast:
01 -
- This casserole brings creamy, tangy, and savory layers together for a family favorite you'll crave again and again.
- The make-ahead appeal and crowd-pleasing flavors have rescued my weeknight more times than I can count.
02 -
- Letting it rest makes all the difference—slice too soon and it’ll slip and slide apart on the plate.
- Once I tried mixing all the layers together and lost the wonderful texture contrast, so keep them stacked for maximum comfort.
03 -
- Underbake the noodles slightly—the oven finish gives them just the right bite.
- Layering is key: assembling in order keeps the flavors distinct and comforting, not muddled.