Description
Beef Lombardi Casserole is a hearty and comforting American family dinner featuring layers of savory ground beef tomato sauce, creamy cheeses, and tender egg noodles baked to perfection and topped with fresh green onions.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Noodles and Cheese Mixture
- 12 oz cooked egg noodles
- ½ cup sour cream (preferably reduced-fat if desired)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (use reduced-fat if desired)
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Break it apart as it cooks until fully browned. Drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Prepare Sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook gently for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld together.
- Mix Creamy Noodles: In a separate bowl, blend the sour cream and softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the cooked egg noodles and stir carefully to coat all the noodles evenly with the cream mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a casserole dish. Spread half of the creamy noodles in an even layer in the dish. Spoon half of the beef tomato sauce mixture evenly over the noodles. Repeat another layer with the remaining noodles and meat sauce.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top of the casserole. Place the dish in the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the casserole is hot through and the cheeses are melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to set slightly. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving for a fresh, mild onion flavor and color contrast.
Notes
- You can substitute rotini, penne, or other short pasta shapes instead of egg noodles if preferred.
- For a lighter version of this casserole, opt for reduced-fat sour cream and cream cheese to lower the fat content.
- Make sure to drain the excess fat from the beef to avoid greasiness in the final dish.
- This casserole pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
