Beef Lombardi Casserole (Printable version)
Layered beef, tomatoes and noodles topped with a creamy cottage-sour mix and melted cheddar for a warming family meal.
# Ingredient list:
→ 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
# Directions:
01 - Set oven to 350°F and allow it to fully preheat.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to skillet and cook until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
05 - In a large saucepan, cook egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
06 - In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese until well blended.
07 - Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish. Layer half of the cooked noodles in the bottom, top with half the sour cream and cottage cheese mixture, then half the beef mixture. Repeat layers.
08 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer.
09 - Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until casserole is golden and bubbling.
10 - Allow casserole to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- If you crave something hearty but not fussy, this casserole feels like a delicious shortcut to comfort.
- Every layer has a purpose, and the mixture of tangy tomatoes with creamy cheese makes it hard to stop at one serving.
02 -
- If you drain the noodles too early, they may stick—timing really does matter here.
- That 10-minute post-bake rest is the secret to clean servings and fewer casseroles collapsing on plates.
03 -
- Lightly oiling the casserole dish makes cleanup much easier—no scorched cheese to scrub.
- A quick broil during the last two minutes gives the cheese topping extra color and crunch.