Beef Lombardi Casserole (Print View)
Hearty beef and noodle bake layered with tangy tomatoes, creamy cottage-sour cream mix and melted cheddar. Serves six.
# What You'll 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
# Method:
01 - Set oven temperature to 350°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until fully browned, then drain off excess fat.
03 - Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until fragrant and softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well and simmer for 10 minutes.
05 - In a large saucepan, cook egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
06 - In a mixing bowl, blend sour cream with small curd cottage cheese until evenly mixed.
07 - Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish. Layer half of the cooked noodles on the bottom, followed by half of the sour cream-cottage cheese mixture, then half of the beef mixture. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients.
08 - Evenly distribute shredded cheddar cheese over the top layer.
09 - Place casserole dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the surface is golden and bubbling.
10 - Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes to settle before portioning.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- This casserole tastes even better as leftovers, so don’t be shy about making a little extra.
- I love how simple the layering is—it looks like a lot of work, but comes together in the time it takes to catch up on everyone’s day around the kitchen.
02 -
- If you rush the resting time, the layers slide apart and all that effort goes to waste.
- One forgotten pinch of salt can turn a punchy sauce bland—taste the sauce as it simmers.
03 -
- Layer the ingredients in the order listed—no shortcuts—or the texture just won’t be the same.
- Slightly undercook the noodles and let the resting time work its magic for the perfect slice every time.