Beef Lombardi Casserole (Print Version)
Layered bake of ground beef, tomatoes, egg noodles and a creamy cottage-sour mix, finished with melted cheddar.
# Recipe Ingredients:
→ 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
# Directions:
01 - Set oven to 350°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Incorporate diced tomatoes with juices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
05 - Prepare egg noodles in a large saucepan according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
06 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese until smooth.
07 - In a greased 9x13 inch casserole dish, arrange half the noodles, spread with half the cheese mixture, then layer half the beef mixture. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients.
08 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the surface.
09 - Place uncovered in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until top is golden and casserole is bubbling.
10 - Allow casserole to rest for 10 minutes before portioning and serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get that crispy cheddar lid with every slice, and the leftovers are somehow even better the next day.
- This casserole’s super adaptable – I’ve used bell peppers or swapped in yogurt, and nobody ever noticed the difference.
02 -
- The first time I rushed the noodle boiling, they turned way too soft and vanished into the layers—watch them closely for al dente.
- Letting it rest after baking makes the slices hold together; cutting too soon leads to a sloppy (though still delicious) mess.
03 -
- Lining the casserole dish with a little parchment makes post-dinner cleanup a snap.
- Sprinkling extra black pepper on top before baking brings out the cheese flavor in every bite.