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.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Add Meat Layer: Evenly spoon and spread the beef and tomato mixture over the creamy noodles layer, ensuring full coverage.
Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the beef layer to create a cheesy crust once baked.
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.
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