Beef Lombardi Casserole (Print View)
Layered comfort of seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, egg noodles and a creamy cottage-sour cream-cheddar topping.
# What You 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 Make It:
01 - Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow to preheat.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until fully browned. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, until softened.
04 - Incorporate diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
05 - In a large saucepan, cook egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
06 - In a mixing bowl, blend sour cream with cottage cheese until evenly combined.
07 - Grease a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) casserole dish. Layer half the noodles, half the sour cream-cheese mixture, and half the beef mixture. Repeat to create a second layer.
08 - Evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top layer.
09 - Place dish uncovered in oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
10 - Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving for easier portioning.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Creamy cheesy topping and noodle layers make every bite both rich and incredibly comforting.
- The recipe is so forgiving and adaptable—perfect for using up whatever’s in the fridge or tailoring to picky eaters.
02 -
- If you skip draining the beef, the casserole turns out greasy—trust me, I paid for that mistake once.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving makes the layers set, so you get those perfect squares instead of a heap on the plate.
03 -
- Always undercook the noodles slightly—they’ll finish softening as they bake, preventing mushiness.
- Resist peeking or lifting the casserole too early; the rested bake is when magic happens.