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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Select a deep skillet and transform ground beef into a crumbly, caramelized mixture over robust heat, carefully eliminating excess lipids through thorough draining.
- 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.
- 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.
- Construct the casserole’s foundation by spreading the silky noodle layer across the prepared dish, creating a smooth canvas for subsequent components.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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