Beef Lombardi is just a spectacular dish that makes the hearts of people melt like marshmallows-the level at which egg noodles perfectly meld with creamy sauce, savory beef and tomato mixture, and the gooey melting cheddar on top. It’s a wonderful combination of tastes that include a pretty sweet crux, a little spiciness from Tabasco, along with those cream cheese and sour cream textures.
It is also easy to cook and will surely make you feel that good taste you’re dreaming about in your cooking. A piece usually brings friends or family back to the table for a second serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor-packed layers: A delightful contrast between tomato sauce, cheddar cheese, and creamy noodles.
Easy to prepare: Bachelor-friendly ingredients and minimal prior preparation are what make this casserole one of the best.
Crowd-pleaser: The dish has universal appeal, making every family and friends dinner within reach of all.
Great leftovers: It tastes better the next day-it is a perfect meal prep.
Customizable: You can add your favorite veggies or spices to have it your way.
Key Ingredients
Ground Beef: Ground lean beef imparts a hearty flavor and protein component to the entirety. For an extra savory kick, one may opt for a combination of ground beef and ground sausage.
Egg Noodles: Egg noodles bring the tender, buttery base for the casserole. Pappardelle or fettuccine can be substituted for them.
Cream Cheese and Sour Cream: These two form the base of a creamy, tangy sauce that coats the noodles perfectly balanced against the boldest tomato flavors.
Canned Tomatoes: In this case, diced tomatoes form the foundation of the beef sauce. Fire-roasted tomatoes bring added flavor to the sauce.
Cheddar Cheese: This truly gives the mush an entirely melty and gooey consistency at any of the levels. Sharp cheddar would give you another dimension of contrast.
Tabasco Sauce and Bay Leaf: These are fairly simple entries into the otherwise plain tomato sauce by giving a hint of heat and flavor depth.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
Instructions:
1. Start with the Beef
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the Beef:
Heat a skillet over medium heat.
Add 1 pound of ground beef and break it apart with a spoon.
Cook until the beef is fully browned, about 7-10 minutes.
Drain Excess Fat: Remove any excess grease to keep the casserole from being oily.
2. Flavor Building
Add Garlic and Tomatoes:
Stir in 2 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in 1 can of diced tomatoes with juice.
Season the Sauce:
Add 1 tablespoon of honey, a few dashes of Tabasco sauce (to taste), 1 bay leaf, and salt and pepper to taste.
Stir well.
Simmer:
Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
3. Prepare the Pasta Layer
Mix Noodles and Cream:
In a large mixing bowl, combine 8 ounces of cooked egg noodles with 4 ounces of cream cheese. Stir until smooth.
Add Green Onions and Sour Cream:
Mix in 2 chopped green onions and 1/2 cup sour cream until evenly distributed.
4. Assemble the Casserole
Grease the Dish: Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with oil or non-stick spray.
Layer Ingredients:
Spread half of the noodle mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish.
Top with half of the beef and tomato sauce mixture.
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the sauce.
Repeat Layers:
Add another layer of noodles, beef sauce, and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
5. Bake the Magic
Cover and Bake:
Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Uncover and Finish:
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, with a golden, slightly crispy top.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Rest:
Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes to set, making it easier to slice.
Serve:
Cut into portions and serve warm. Pair with a fresh green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions
These are a few good options that you might consider serving your Beef Lombardi casserole with in order to make the rest of your meal:
Salad: It will be a balancing compliment to the dense richness of the casserole, perhaps a green salad with a zesty vinaigrette.
Garlic Bread: To dip into the savory sauce, why not enjoy your Beef Lombardi recipe with some warm, buttery garlic bread.
Roasted Vegetables: Lightly roasted zucchini, asparagus, or broccoli usually makes for a lovely winter stuff side.
Wine Pairing: This recipe’s bold, cheesy flavors would pair quite well with a medium-bodied red wine, such as Merlot or Chianti.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Cool
Casserole leftovers may be stored in an airtight box covered for up to three days.
Freeze
Build the casserole and keep it prepared – do not bake. It should be wrapped up really tightly with plastic and aluminum wrap and freeze it for up to two months. Reheat the overnight-thawed casserole.
Reheat
Oven: Do cover with the foil and reheat in a super-hot 350F oven for 20-25 minutes.
Microwave: Give a quick reheat in the microwave in 1-minute increments for individual portions.
Variations
Spicy: Intensify the presentation by adding more Tabasco sauce or red chili flakes.
Veggie: Throw into the sautéed mushrooms, cubed zucchini, and chopped spinach for added nutritional benefit.
Tex-Mex: Mix up ground beef and taco seasoning and add slabbed jalapeños in case you like a Santa Fe version.
Minus Gluten: Use gluten-free pasta for your egg noodles.
Three Types of Cheese: For a grander, more complex flavor that melts in a cheese blend, mix cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan as your cheese topping.
Conclusion
Beef Lombardi is the comfort food gatekeeper that marries the whole family with its beefy-so savory sauce, noodley creamy richness and cheesy crowning. A superior good casserole.
Hot Tip: Make the casserole broil for an additional 2-3 minutes just after it’s finished baking, in order to get that bubbly, golden crust—but watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!
So, this is how you grab your skillet and warm that noodle and treat your family to another side of comfort food. But trust me, first is not going to be enough!
Beef Lombardi Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can diced tomatoes 28 oz, with juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce adjust to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 ounces egg noodles cooked
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 6 green onions chopped
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups cheddar cheese grated
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add diced tomatoes with juice, honey, Tabasco sauce, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer for 30 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked egg noodles with cream cheese until smooth. Mix in chopped green onions and sour cream until evenly distributed.
- Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the noodle mixture on the bottom, top with half of the beef sauce, and sprinkle with 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers, finishing with cheddar cheese on top.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes. Cut into portions and serve warm with a fresh green salad or garlic bread.
