Beef Lombardi Casserole (Printable Version)
Baked beef and tomato casserole with egg noodles, creamy cottage-sour cream layer, and melted cheddar.
# What You Need:
→ 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 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat.
03 - Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet; sauté until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes.
05 - Meanwhile, cook the egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
06 - In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream and small curd cottage cheese until evenly blended.
07 - In a greased 9x13 inch casserole dish, layer half of the cooked noodles, spread half of the sour cream and cottage cheese mixture, then spoon over half of the beef and tomato mixture. Repeat layering with the remaining ingredients.
08 - Evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top layer.
09 - Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbling.
10 - Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Nothing beats the way the creamy cheese topping melts into the noodles and beef.
- It's forgiving—perfect for busy evenings when you want something comforting without fuss.
02 -
- Skipping the noodle rinse can leave you with a sticky bottom layer—trust me on this one.
- Letting the casserole rest after baking means neater servings and more flavor in every bite.
03 -
- If you layer while everything’s still warm, the flavors meld much better.
- Using freshly grated cheese gives the creamiest melt and prevents a greasy layer.