🥘 Beef Lombardi Casserole

Beef Lombardi Casserole is a hearty comfort-food favorite made with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, tender egg noodles, a creamy cheese layer, and plenty of melted cheddar on top. It’s an easy make-ahead meal that’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

6

Prep Time

• Prep: 20 minutes
• Cook: 35 minutes
• Total: 55 minutes

Servings

8 servings

Ingredients

Beef Layer

• 2 pounds (900 g) lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz/410 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (10 oz/285 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Noodle Layer

• 12 oz (340 g) egg noodles
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Topping

• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish.
2. Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions until just al dente. Drain.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
4. Add the onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
5. Mix in the diced tomatoes, tomatoes with green chilies, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
6. In a separate bowl, combine the sour cream, cream cheese, melted butter, and green onions until smooth. Fold in the cooked noodles.
7. Spread the noodle mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
8. Spoon the beef mixture over the noodles.
9. Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the top.
10. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
11. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Serving Suggestions

• Garlic bread or dinner rolls
• Green salad with Italian dressing
• Steamed broccoli or green beans
• Roasted vegetables

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, or microwave individual portions until heated through.

Tips

• For extra richness, substitute half of the cheddar with Monterey Jack or Colby Jack cheese.
• Add sliced mushrooms or diced bell peppers when cooking the onion for extra vegetables.
• If you like a little heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or use hot diced tomatoes with green chilies.
• Cook the noodles just until al dente so they stay tender after baking.