Beef Lombardi Casserole Recipe
Beef Lombardi Casserole is a comforting, cheesy, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for family dinners. It’s a hearty casserole with layers of seasoned ground beef, pasta, and a creamy, cheesy sauce. Let’s dive into how to make this delicious dish!
Ingredients
To create this scrumptious casserole, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef: Lean beef works best for this recipe.
- 1 medium onion: Finely chopped.
- 1 green bell pepper: Finely chopped.
- 2 cloves garlic: Minced.
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes: Undrained.
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: To taste.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: To taste.
- 8 oz egg noodles: Cooked and drained.
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter: Melted.
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley: For garnish.
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Beef Mixture:
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and the onions are translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Mix well and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cottage cheese, and melted butter. Mix until well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, layer half of the cooked egg noodles. Spread half of the cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Spoon half of the beef mixture over the cheese layer. Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, cheese mixture, and beef mixture.
- Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Beef Lombardi Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz with juice
- 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies 10 oz with juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 can tomato paste 6 oz
- 1 package medium egg noodles 6 oz
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes with juice, Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies with juice, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and tomato paste. Mix well to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld together and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the medium egg noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the noodles well and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the sour cream to the hot noodles and stir until the noodles are evenly coated.
- Spread the sour cream-coated noodles evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon the meat sauce over the noodles, spreading it out with a spatula to ensure it’s evenly distributed.
- In a small bowl, mix together the shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the top of the meat sauce.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely and turn golden brown.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot with garlic bread, a fresh green salad, or steamed vegetables.
Tips for a Perfect Casserole
- Seasoning: Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Feel free to add more spices or herbs to enhance the flavor.
- Cheese Choices: While sharp cheddar and Parmesan are recommended, you can experiment with other cheeses like mozzarella or Gruyere.
- Vegetable Add-ins: Add mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for extra nutrients and flavor.
- Make-Ahead: This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a rough nutritional breakdown per serving (makes about 8 servings):
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 22g
These values can vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
Conclusion
This Beef Lombardi Casserole is a delicious and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With its layers of seasoned beef, creamy cheese, and tender noodles, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
Give this recipe a try and enjoy a comforting, homemade meal. Bon appétit!
Pro Tip: Serve with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Happy cooking! 🧀🍲
Got any other favorite casseroles you’d like to share? I’m always up for trying something new!