Description
Beef Lombardi Casserole is a hearty and cheesy baked pasta dish featuring layers of tender egg noodles, seasoned ground beef, a creamy cottage cheese mixture, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or a comforting weeknight meal, this easy casserole is packed with flavor and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles (or gluten-free alternative)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Creamy Layer
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese (or ricotta)
Topping
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp butter (for greasing dish)
Instructions
1. Prepare for Baking
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
2. Cook the Noodles
- Cook the egg noodles according to package instructions.
- Drain and set aside.
3. Prepare the Beef Mixture
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until the beef is browned.
- Drain excess grease.
- Stir in garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
4. Mix the Creamy Layer
- In a bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese (or ricotta).
5. Assemble the Casserole
- Layer half of the noodles in the prepared baking dish.
- Spread the sour cream mixture evenly over the noodles.
- Add half of the beef mixture and half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, beef mixture, and cheddar cheese.
6. Bake the Casserole
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Assemble the casserole without baking, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before baking.
- Customization: Use ricotta instead of cottage cheese, ground turkey instead of beef, or add chopped vegetables for extra nutrition.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap the egg noodles for a gluten-free pasta alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: ~450 per serving