Description
Hearty beef lombardi casserole delivers classic comfort with rich layers of ground beef, pasta, and melted cheese. Midwestern home cooking shines through this satisfying one-dish meal that brings family together around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Dairy:
- 2 1/2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 1/4 cups sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cans (10 ounces each) diced tomatoes with chilies, drained
Pasta:
- 1 package (12 ounces) egg noodles
Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare a 350°F (175°C) oven, positioning the rack in the center for even cooking.
- In a large skillet, sauté chopped onions with ground beef over medium heat, breaking meat into small crumbles until beef browns and onions become translucent, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Enhance the meat mixture by incorporating tomato paste, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, celery salt, and diced tomatoes with chilies, allowing the ingredients to meld and thicken for 5 minutes.
- Simultaneously, boil water and cook egg noodles for precisely 3 minutes, then drain while reserving 2 cups of cooking liquid.
- Create a creamy base by whisking sour cream, cream cheese, cornstarch, and half a cup of reserved noodle water until achieving a smooth, lump-free consistency.
- Gently fold partially cooked noodles into the cream mixture, incorporating remaining reserved liquid to ensure proper coating.
- Transfer the noodle-cream blend into a thoroughly greased 9×13 baking dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform base.
- Layer the seasoned beef mixture across the noodle foundation, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
- Generously sprinkle Colby Jack cheese over the top, creating a rich, melty surface.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust and edges become slightly crisp.
Notes
- Pair with a green salad or steamed vegetables.
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls complement the richness.
- A glass of red wine works well with the beefy, tomato-forward sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg