Description
Beef Lombardi Casserole is a comforting American layered pasta bake that combines seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese layers, and tender egg noodles into a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for family dinners. This casserole features a rich tomato sauce, a blend of sour cream and cream cheese, and a sharp cheddar topping baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta
- 8 oz egg noodles
Creamy Mixture
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Topping
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to enhance the flavor. Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, prepare the egg noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente, meaning they should be tender but still have a slight bite. Once cooked, drain the noodles well to prevent sogginess in the casserole.
- Mix the Creamy Layer: In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, softened cream cheese, and chopped green onions. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy, providing a rich contrast to the savory meat sauce.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Begin layering with half of the cooked egg noodles spread out evenly on the bottom. Next, spoon and spread half of the creamy sour cream mixture evenly over the noodles. Follow by layering half of the meat sauce over the cream layer. Repeat these layers—remaining noodles, remaining cream mixture, and remaining meat sauce—to build the casserole evenly. Finally, sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake the assembled casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until it is hot and bubbly and the cheese on top has melted and started to brown slightly. After baking, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set before serving.
- Serve and Garnish: Garnish the casserole with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve warm as a comforting main course perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Notes
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake for convenience.
- It freezes well; cover tightly and thaw before reheating.
- For a lighter version, substitute light sour cream and reduced-fat cheddar cheese.
- Feel free to omit the crushed red pepper flakes if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Use fresh parsley garnish to enhance both color and aroma when serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
