Beef Lombardi Casserole

🥘 Beef Lombardi Casserole Recipe

👩‍🍳 Servings: 8

⏰ Prep Time: 25 minutes

⏰ Cook Time: 30 minutes

🔥 Bake Time: 30 minutes

🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F (175°C)

📋 Ingredients

For the meat sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 pounds ground beef

• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1/2 cup chopped green onions (scallions)

For the pasta & cheese layers:

• 8 ounces egg noodles or elbow macaroni

• 1 cup sour cream

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup small curd cottage cheese (or ricotta)

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

Topping:

• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional for extra cheesiness)

• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or green onions (for garnish)

🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the noodles

• Boil a large pot of salted water.

• Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente.

• Drain and set aside.

2. Prepare the meat sauce

• In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.

• Add diced onions and cook until translucent (about 3–4 minutes).

• Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.

• Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.

• Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato paste, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper.

• Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Stir in chopped green onions and remove from heat.

3. Make the cheese layer

• In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, softened cream cheese, cottage cheese (or ricotta), garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

• Mix until smooth and well combined. (Some lumps from the cottage cheese are okay.)

4. Assemble the casserole

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer the following:

  • Half of the noodles

  • Half of the cheese mixture (spread gently)

  • Half of the meat sauce

  • Repeat layers: noodles, cheese mixture, meat sauce

• Sprinkle shredded cheddar (and mozzarella if using) over the top.

5. Bake

• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

• Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Let sit for 10 minutes before serving to firm up.

🌿 Optional Add-Ins / Variations

• Add sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers to the beef sauce for extra flavor.

• Use ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of beef.

• Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce to the meat mixture.

• Swap in ricotta if you don’t like cottage cheese.

🧊 Storage & Freezing

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

• Freezer: Assemble (but don’t bake), cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and bake as directed.

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