Description
Beef Lombardi is a comforting American casserole featuring ground beef simmered in a savory tomato sauce with Italian seasoning, layered with creamy noodles, sour cream, cream cheese, and a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, then baked to bubbly perfection. Ideal for a family dinner, this cheesy pasta bake combines rich flavors and hearty ingredients for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Noodle Mixture
- 2 cups cooked egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking the casserole evenly.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with chopped onion until meat is browned and onions are softened, about 7–8 minutes; break up meat while cooking for even browning.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Prepare Sauce: Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juices, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir to combine and let simmer for 10 minutes to develop the flavors, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Noodle Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, blend the cooked egg noodles with sour cream and softened cream cheese until the noodles are evenly coated and creamy.
- Layer Ingredients: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the noodle mixture evenly on the bottom. Spoon half of the meat sauce over the noodles, then sprinkle with half of the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
- Repeat Layers: Layer the remaining noodles, then the remaining meat sauce, and finish with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole sit for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- This casserole can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef.
- Cottage cheese can be used instead of cream cheese for a tangier flavor.
