Beef Lombardi Casserole (Printable)
Ground beef and egg noodles layered with tomatoes and creamy cheese, baked until golden and bubbly.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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
# Directions:
01 - Set the oven to 350°F and allow to preheat while assembling other ingredients.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until evenly browned, breaking up meat as it cooks. Drain and discard excess fat.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with beef; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until onions are softened.
04 - Incorporate diced tomatoes with liquid, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and simmer for 10 minutes.
05 - Meanwhile, cook egg noodles in a large saucepan of boiling water per package instructions until just al dente. Drain thoroughly.
06 - Combine sour cream and cottage cheese in a mixing bowl until well blended.
07 - Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish. Layer half the noodles in the bottom, add half the sour cream-cottage cheese mixture, then half the beef mixture. Repeat layering with remaining ingredients.
08 - Evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top layer.
09 - Transfer to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
10 - Allow casserole to rest 10 minutes before serving to set layers.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Nobody expects how outrageously creamy the cheese layer gets—it’s like a gooey secret between us.
- This is my fallback for busy weeks when I want something hearty but don’t have time for fuss.
02 -
- If you skip resting the casserole after baking, the layers collapse into a (still delicious) hot mess.
- Using freshly shredded cheddar instead of pre-shredded makes the cheese melt into gorgeous puddles.
03 -
- Browning the beef well at the start adds a next-level savory depth—it’s worth the wait.
- Taste the sauce before layering to check seasoning; those tiny tweaks make it yours.