Beef Lombardi casserole is a delicious, classic dinner made with a hearty beef and tomato sauce over creamy egg noodles and topped with shredded cheddar cheese.
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
Beef Lombardi casserole is a classic dinner recipe that the whole family is sure to love. My mother used to make this when we were growing up and my siblings and I loved it. This is a classic recipe that some of you may already be familiar with. If you're not, here is your sign to make it. The egg noodles are so creamy and the beef and tomato sauce topped with cheesy are so hearty and delicious.
Now that I have my own family, I make this for them once the cold weather hits New Jersey. It’s the perfect, easy to make dinner that I know will keep them warm and full for hours. It's nice to see that they all enjoy this dish now, too, just like I used to .
Ingredients
Heres everything you'll need to make this delicious casserole. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.
- Ground Beef- The hearty base that keeps the meal hearty.
- Onion- Adds a slight sweetness once sauteed.
- Garlic- Brings lots of even flavor.
- Olive Oil- Helps saute the vegetables and beef.
- Tomato Paste- Concentrated tomato flavor that gives the sauce body and brightness.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes- Adds acidity and balances the tang.
- Egg Noodles (plus a ladle of pasta water)-The perfect pasta to soak up all that delicious sauce. The water loosens the sour cream sauce.
- Sour Cream- Adds lots of creamy richness.
- Cream Cheese- Bings a thick, creamy base that perfectly contrasts the beef and tomatoes.
- Corn Starch- Helps stabilize the cream sauce so it doesn't break or separate while baking.
- Cheddar Cheese- Melts into ooey gooey perfection.
- Parsley- An optional garnish that brings a nice pop of color.
- Salt- Enhances all the other ingredients
- Pepper- Cuts the richness of the sauce.
- Garlic Powder- Brings an even garlicy flavor throughout the dish.
How To Make It
Heres how to make this delicious lombardi casserole. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.
Preheat the oven to 350°
In a large skillet, sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil until the onions begin to soften. Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula until it’s browned and cooked all the way through. Drain the fat if necessary. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder and stir in the tomato paste. Stir in the diced tomatoes (with the juice) and let the meat mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
Then, in a medium sized bowl, mix together the sour cream, softened cream cheese, corn starch and ladle of pasta water. Then, stir in the cooked egg noodles. Add the egg noodle mixture to a 9 x 13 inch baking that’s been sprayed with cooking spray and spread the mixture out until it’s flat and even. Add the beef mixture evenly on top and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
PRO TIP: Be sure to shred the cheese yourself and avoid the pre shredded stuff that comes in a bag. It will melt much better that way.
PRO TIP: Don't over cook the noodles. They will continue to cook in the oven.
Finally, place it into the center rack of the oven for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sides are hot and bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes, garnish with parsley (optional) and enjoy!
PRO TIP: Let the casserole rest to set the sauce and allow it to firm up a bit.
What Can I Serve This With?
This casserole is pretty hearty. I'd keep the sides light with maybe a simple side salad, roasted vegetable or Homemade Garlic Bread.
Storage
Let the casserole cool completely and place it into an air tight storage container. It will last in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Beef Lombardi Casserole Recipe
Equipment
- 9" x 13" baking dish
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds Ground Beef
- 1 Small Onion, diced
- 3 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tbs Olive Oil
- 6 oz Tomato Paste
- 28 Oz Can Diced Tomatoes
- 1 Pound Egg Noodles- cooked al dente (plus a ladle of pasta water, about a half a cup)
- 16 Oz Sour Cream
- 4 Oz Cream Cheese (room temperature)
- 1 Tbs Corn Starch
- 1.5 cups Cheddar Cheese, hand shredded
- Parsley for Garnish (optional)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 Tbs Garlic Powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°
- In a large skillet, sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil until the onions begin to soften. Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula until it’s browned and cooked all the way through. Drain the fat if necessary.
- Season the meat with salt, pepper and garlic powder and stir in the tomato paste. Stir in the diced tomatoes (with the juice) and let the meat mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a medium sized bowl, mix together the sour cream, softened cream cheese, corn starch and ladle of pasta water. Then, stir in the cooked egg noodles.
- Add the egg noodle mixture to a 9 x 13 inch baking that’s been sprayed with cooking spray and spread the mixture out until it’s flat and even.
- Add the beef mixture evenly on top and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Place it into the center rack of the oven for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sides are hot and bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes, garnish with parsley (optional) and enjoy!
Other Easy Casserole Recipes
If you like super easy to make casserole recipes like this one, you have to try this Sloppy Joes Casserole, Cowboy Biscuit Casserole and Chicken and Stuffing Casserole.
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