Description
Beef Lombardi Casserole is a comforting American baked dish featuring seasoned ground beef, tender egg noodles, and a creamy blend of sour cream and cream cheese, topped with sharp cheddar cheese. Perfect for family dinners, it combines rich flavors and an easy prep, suitable for make-ahead or freezer-friendly meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Noodle Mixture
- 2 cups cooked egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
Topping
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Beef: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic until the beef is browned and the onion softens, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily.
- Add Seasonings and Simmer: Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer for 5 to 7 minutes to allow it to thicken slightly and deepen the flavors.
- Mix Noodles and Cream Cheese: In a separate bowl, blend the sour cream and softened cream cheese until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency. Then, fold in the cooked egg noodles until evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the noodle mixture evenly on the bottom of the dish. Top this layer with half of the beef mixture. Repeat the layers with the remaining noodle mixture and beef mixture.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a touch of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking, making it convenient for busy schedules.
- It is freezer-friendly; store the unbaked casserole in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
- For added nutrition and flavor, mix in chopped spinach or bell peppers with the ground beef during cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
