Beef Lombardi Casserole (Print)
Layered beef, tomatoes and egg noodles with a creamy cottage-sour blend and melted cheddar, ideal for family meals.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauces and 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 Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
05 - While sauce simmers, cook egg noodles in a large saucepan according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
06 - In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese until evenly blended.
07 - In a greased 9x13 inch casserole dish, layer half the egg noodles, then half the sour cream and cottage cheese mixture, followed by half the beef mixture. Repeat the layers.
08 - Evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top layer.
09 - Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly.
10 - Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Every bite is layered and creamy, with a crunchy cheese top that feels straight from a cozy diner.
- This casserole is a secret weapon for weeknights when you want hearty food without a mountain of dishes.
02 -
- Rushing the simmer stage leaves the sauce watery and the flavors flat—let it bubble the full 10 minutes.
- Once I forgot to let it rest after baking and the slices fell apart—waiting really does give you cleaner servings.
03 -
- Greasing the casserole dish generously keeps cleanup blissfully quick.
- Letting the casserole cool uncovered for a few minutes helps the cheese layer set with just the right crispiness.