Beef Lombardi Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Beef Lombardi Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Combining savory ground beef, creamy noodles, and melted cheddar cheese, this casserole is sure to satisfy the whole family.

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds Ground Beef
• 1 Onion, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 6 ounces Tomato Paste
• 28 ounces Canned Diced Tomatoes
• 1 pound Egg Noodles (plus about ½ cup pasta water)
• 16 ounces Sour Cream
• 4 ounces Cream Cheese (room temperature)
• 1 tablespoon Corn Starch
• 1.5 cups Cheddar Cheese, hand shredded
• Parsley for Garnish (optional)
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until the onions begin to soften, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
4. Step 4: Season the meat with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir in the tomato paste until well combined.
5. Step 5: Add the canned diced tomatoes along with their juice. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Step 6: In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, softened cream cheese, corn starch, and about ½ cup of reserved pasta water. Mix until smooth.
7. Step 7: Stir the cooked egg noodles into the sour cream mixture until evenly coated.
8. Step 8: Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread the noodle mixture evenly on the bottom of the dish.
9. Step 9: Layer the beef mixture evenly over the noodles.
10. Step 10: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
11. Step 11: Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges are hot and bubbly.
12. Step 12: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before garnishing with parsley, if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh parsley or chopped chives for a bright, fresh garnish.
• Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for a subtle spicy kick.
• For extra creaminess, mix in a little shredded mozzarella with the cheddar.
• If you prefer, swap egg noodles for rigatoni or penne pasta.

Storage

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or oven until hot throughout. This casserole can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Bake it fresh when ready to serve.

Do I need to cook the egg noodles before mixing?

Yes, cook the egg noodles according to package instructions before mixing them with the sour cream and cream cheese mixture.

Beef Lombardi Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 102 reviews

• Author: Hugo
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

Beef Lombardi Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish combining savory ground beef simmered with tomatoes and garlic, creamy noodles mixed with sour cream and cream cheese, and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Baked to bubbly perfection, this casserole makes for a perfect family dinner or potluck dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Vegetables

• 1.5 pounds Ground Beef
• 1 Onion, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced

Sauces and Dairy

• 6 oz Tomato Paste
• 28 oz Canned Diced Tomatoes
• 16 oz Sour Cream
• 4 oz Cream Cheese (room temperature)
• 1.5 cups Cheddar Cheese, hand shredded

Other Ingredients

• 1 pound Egg Noodles
• About 0.5 cup Pasta Water (reserved from cooked noodles)
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Corn Starch
• 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Parsley for Garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
2. Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until the onions start to soften and become translucent, releasing their aromatic flavors.
3. Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook thoroughly until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed to keep the dish from being greasy.
4. Season and Add Tomato Paste: Season the cooked beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir in the tomato paste well to evenly coat the meat.
5. Simmer with Tomatoes: Add in the canned diced tomatoes along with their juice. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to develop rich flavors.
6. Prepare Creamy Noodle Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, softened cream cheese, and corn starch. Stir in about half a cup of reserved pasta water from cooked egg noodles to loosen the mixture. Then fold in the cooked egg noodles until they are evenly coated and creamy.
7. Assemble Casserole Base: Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread the creamy noodle mixture evenly and flat across the bottom of the dish to form the base layer.
8. Add Meat Layer: Evenly spoon and spread the beef and tomato mixture over the creamy noodles layer, ensuring full coverage.
9. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the beef layer to create a cheesy crust once baked.
10. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and golden on the edges.
11. Cool and Garnish: After baking, let the casserole cool slightly to set. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired before serving to add a pop of color and freshness.

Notes

• You can reserve pasta water from cooking noodles as it helps create a smooth creamy consistency when mixed with sour cream and cream cheese.
• Drain the fat from the cooked ground beef to reduce grease in the casserole for a better texture.
• Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns and allow flavors to settle.
• Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese rather than pre-shredded for better melting quality.
• Optional parsley garnish not only adds color but also a fresh herbal note to balance the richness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: beef casserole, lombardi casserole, creamy beef noodles, baked casserole, comfort food, cheddar beef bake