Beef Lombardi Casserole (Printable)
Layered comfort of seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, egg noodles and a creamy cottage-sour cream-cheddar topping.
# What You 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
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until well browned. Drain any excess fat.
03 - Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Meanwhile, cook the egg noodles in a large saucepan according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
06 - In a mixing bowl, blend together the sour cream and cottage cheese until smooth.
07 - Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish. Layer half of the cooked noodles in the dish, followed by half of the sour cream and cottage cheese mixture, then half of the beef mixture. Repeat the layers with remaining ingredients.
08 - Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer.
09 - Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
10 - Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The creamy cheese layer melts right into the noodles, bringing unexpected richness to every bite.
- It sneaks in vegetables and protein in a way that pleases both picky kids and adults who want something comforting but not bland.
02 -
- One time I rushed the resting, and my first scoop turned into a cheesy landslide—definitely let it sit before serving.
- Swapping in too much low-fat cheese made it less creamy, so stick with the full-fat versions for unbeatable texture.
03 -
- Always taste and adjust the sauce seasoning before layering—the pasta and cheese can dull flavors if underseasoned.
- Using fresh grated cheddar (not pre-shredded) melts better and gives the top a mouthwatering finish.