Beef Lombardi Casserole (Printable)
Layered beef and noodle casserole with tangy tomatoes and a creamy cheese topping, baked until golden.
# 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 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
05 - 1 can (8 oz) 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 oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) to preheat while preparing other components.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until thoroughly browned, breaking apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, until onion is softened and fragrant.
04 - Stir in diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer mixture for 10 minutes to develop flavors.
05 - While sauce simmers, bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
06 - In a mixing bowl, blend sour cream and cottage cheese thoroughly.
07 - Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish. Layer half the cooked noodles on the bottom, followed by half of the sour cream and cottage cheese mixture, and half of the beef mixture. Repeat the layers with remaining ingredients.
08 - Evenly distribute shredded cheddar cheese across the top layer.
09 - Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until top is golden and casserole is bubbling.
10 - Allow to rest for 10 minutes to set before portioning and serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- You get the nostalgia of classic casserole, but the sour cream and cottage cheese combo makes every bite creamy and unexpected.
- It&aposs ridiculously forgiving—leftovers somehow taste even better and it makes a whole crowd grin at the table.
02 -
- Once, I rushed the noodle cooking and they turned mushy in the casserole, so keep them just shy of fully cooked before baking.
- Layering the cheese on top and not inside makes sure you get that irresistible crispy-gooey cap every time.
03 -
- Always taste-test the beef sauce before layering—just a pinch more salt or herbs works wonders.
- Use extra-sharp cheddar for bold flavor that stands up to the tomato sauce.