Beef Lombardi Casserole (Printer-friendly)
Layered beef, tomatoes, noodles and creamy cheese baked until golden - ideal for weeknight family dinners.
# What You’ll 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 Guide:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add onion and garlic to the skillet; sauté until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
05 - Boil egg noodles in a large saucepan according to package instructions until al dente. Drain completely.
06 - In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese until smooth.
07 - Coat a 9x13 inch casserole dish with nonstick spray. Layer half the cooked noodles, followed by half the sour cream-cottage cheese mixture, and half the beef sauce. Repeat layers using remaining ingredients.
08 - Distribute shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer.
09 - Place casserole dish uncovered in oven. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until surface turns golden and bubbly.
10 - Allow to rest for 10 minutes before portioning and serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It layers noodles, meat sauce, and a creamy cheese blend that melts into one ridiculously satisfying bite.
- Everything comes together in about an hour with zero fancy techniques or hard to find ingredients.
- It reheats even better the next day, which makes it a weeknight hero.
02 -
- Undercook the noodles slightly or they turn mushy after 30 minutes in the oven.
- Letting the casserole rest a full 10 minutes is not optional because it sets the layers so slices hold together.
03 -
- Shred cheddar from a block yourself because pre shredded bags contain starch that dulls the melt.
- A quick broil for the last 2 minutes gives the cheese top an irresistible golden crust.