Beef Lombardi Casserole (Printable)
Savory beef and tomato casserole layered with egg noodles and creamy cheese—an easy, family-friendly baked dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauces & Liquids
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
# How To Make It:
01 - Set oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned, then drain excess fat.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet; cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
05 - While the sauce simmers, cook egg noodles in a large saucepan according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
06 - In a mixing bowl, mix together sour cream and cottage cheese until well combined.
07 - In a greased 9x13 inch casserole dish, layer half the cooked noodles, then half the sour cream and cottage cheese mixture, followed by half of the beef mixture. Repeat layering with remaining noodles, dairy, and beef.
08 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the surface.
09 - Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese topping is golden and bubbling.
10 - Allow casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- No one will guess how easy it was to throw together on a busy day.
- Layers of savory beef, creamy cheese, and tender noodles have a magical way of disappearing from the casserole dish.
02 -
- I& 39;ve learned the hard way that noodles cooked too soft go mushy after baking.
- Layering the cheese in the middle as well as on top is the hack for extra richness.
03 -
- Grease the casserole dish well—cheese loves to stick, but you& 39;ll want every morsel on your plate.
- Use freshly ground black pepper for that subtle heat; it really wakes up the whole dish.