The Heartiest Beef Lombardi Casserole Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Beef Lombardi casserole blends hearty southwestern flavors with comforting pasta goodness that instantly warms your soul.

Home cooks adore this classic one-dish meal for its simple yet satisfying combination of ingredients.

Rich layers of tender meat, zesty seasonings, and melted cheese create an irresistible culinary experience that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Midwestern kitchens have long celebrated this delightful casserole as a weeknight dinner solution that pleases everyone at the table.

The robust dish offers a perfect balance between protein, pasta, and savory sauce that enhances ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Each forkful promises a delectable mix of textures and robust flavors that dance across your palate.

Families love gathering around this crowd-pleasing meal that brings everyone together with its irresistible aroma and comforting charm.

Family Favorite Status Goes to Beef Lombardi Casserole

• Savor Hearty One-Dish Comfort: This beef lombardi casserole delivers a complete meal in a single pan, combining tender noodles, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese for ultimate satisfaction without multiple cooking steps.
• Customize with Ease: The recipe allows flexible ingredient adjustments, letting home cooks swap ground beef for turkey, experiment with different cheese blends, or add extra spices to match personal taste preferences.
• Quick Weeknight Warrior: Designed for busy families, this casserole comes together in under an hour, delivering a delicious dinner that requires minimal prep time and provides maximum flavor with simple cooking techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Crowd Feeder: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or casual dinners, the dish serves multiple people simultaneously and appeals to both kids and adults with its classic, comforting flavors.

What’s Inside a Classic Beef Lombardi Casserole

• Ground Beef: Lean meat with rich flavor, choose 80/20 or 85/15 for best texture.
• Egg Noodles: Classic pasta that holds sauce well, provides hearty base for casserole.

• Diced Tomatoes, Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles: Adds moisture and slight heat, fresh canned tomatoes work best.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and helps thicken sauce.

• Sour Cream, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Creates creamy texture and melty top layer, full-fat versions recommended for richness.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Provides balanced and classic seasoning profile, enhances overall meat and sauce flavor.

Instructions for Making Beef Lombardi Casserole Tonight

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble the ground beef into the pan and cook until it’s completely browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat using a colander.

Step 3: Create the Flavorful Sauce

• Diced tomatoes
• Diced tomatoes with green chiles
• Tomato paste
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything together and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and develop.

Step 4: Cook the Noodles

Boil the egg noodles according to the package instructions until they reach al dente texture. Drain the noodles and return them to the pot. Gently fold in sour cream, ensuring each noodle is evenly coated with a creamy layer.

Step 5: Layer the Casserole

Spread the creamy noodles as the first layer in the prepared baking dish. Pour the beef and tomato sauce evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle a generous mix of shredded cheeses across the top for a melty, golden finish.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the casserole in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the dish is hot throughout and the cheese is melted with light golden-brown edges.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the layers to set and makes serving easier. Scoop out generous portions and enjoy the comforting, cheesy goodness!

Time-Saving Tips for Better Beef Lombardi Casserole

• Meat Browning Magic: Ensure ground beef is thoroughly browned and crumbled to develop deep, rich flavor and prevent soggy texture in the casserole.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Use a blend of cheeses and grate them fresh for maximum melting potential and more complex, creamy coverage.
• Sauce Simmering Secret: Allow tomato sauce to reduce and concentrate flavors by simmering slowly, which intensifies the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Noodle Coating Trick: Toss hot noodles with sour cream immediately after draining to create a silky, creamy base that holds the casserole together.
• Make-Ahead Mastery: Assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when ready- the flavors will meld beautifully and create an even more delicious meal.

Leftover Storage Tips for Beef Lombardi Casserole Meals

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled casserole to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For oven reheating, cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.

Side Dishes to Serve with Beef Lombardi Casserole

• Pair with Zesty Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like zinfandel or merlot that complements the rich beef and tomato flavors, cutting through the casserole's creaminess with its tangy undertones.
• Crisp Green Salad Companion: Prepare a light, refreshing salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the hearty casserole and provide a fresh contrast to the warm, cheesy dish.
• Roasted Vegetable Side: Create a simple roasted vegetable medley with bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots to add nutritional value and a colorful accompaniment that enhances the meal's overall texture and taste.
• Cool Craft Beer Match: Choose a robust amber ale or hoppy IPA that stands up to the casserole's bold flavors, offering a complementary drink that refreshes the palate between bites.

Switch-Ups That Make Beef Lombardi Casserole Even Better

• Southwestern Spice Blast: Replace ground beef with spicy chorizo sausage, add diced green chiles, and sprinkle fresh cilantro on top for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Mix: Swap ground beef with ground lamb, incorporate crumbled feta cheese, add dried oregano, and mix in kalamata olives for a Greek-style transformation.
• Veggie Power Casserole: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, include roasted bell peppers and zucchini, and use dairy-free cheese for a vegetarian alternative that's packed with nutrients.
• Creamy Chicken Fusion: Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef, mix in cream cheese with the sour cream, and top with crispy breadcrumbs for a creamy, crunchy variation.

Beef Lombardi Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Beef Lombardi Casserole delivers classic Southern comfort with tender ground beef, zesty tomato sauce, and melted cheese layers. Creamy pasta and rich flavors create a satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef

• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef or ground turkey/chicken

Tomato Base

• 1 14.5 ounces (411 grams) can diced tomatoes
• 1 10 ounces (283 grams) can diced tomatoes and green chiles (such as Rotel)
• 1 6 ounces (170 grams) can tomato paste

Seasonings and Dairy

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 12 ounces (340 grams) package egg noodles
• 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, preparing a spacious rectangular baking vessel with a light coating of cooking lubricant to prevent sticking.
2. Select a deep skillet and transform ground beef into a crumbly, caramelized mixture over robust heat, carefully eliminating excess lipids through thorough draining.
3. Enhance the meat with a vibrant medley of tomato products, introducing aromatic powdered seasonings to create a robust sauce. Allow the mixture to gently simmer, developing rich flavors and melding ingredients for approximately 15-20 minutes.
4. Simultaneously, prepare egg noodles in rapidly boiling water until they reach a perfectly tender yet firm consistency. After draining, integrate creamy sour cream, ensuring each strand becomes luxuriously coated.
5. Construct the casserole’s foundation by spreading the silky noodle layer across the prepared dish, creating a smooth canvas for subsequent components.
6. Cascade the seasoned meat sauce uniformly over the noodle base, then generously crown the creation with a lavish blanket of shredded cheese varieties, promising a molten, golden finish.
7. Transfer the assembled casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 20-25 minutes until the surface becomes bubbling and the cheese develops a tempting golden-brown complexion.
8. Remove from heat and permit the dish to rest briefly, enabling flavors to harmonize and settle before serving this comforting culinary masterpiece.

Notes

• Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a rich, concentrated meat flavor.
• Simmer tomato sauce mixture slowly to develop deep, complex flavors that will infuse the entire dish.
• Choose wide egg noodles for better sauce absorption and a more satisfying texture in each bite.
• Layer ingredients carefully to create distinct flavor zones and ensure even cheese melting.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like cheddar and mozzarella for a more dynamic taste profile.
• Allow casserole to rest briefly after baking to help layers set and make serving easier.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg