Description
Hearty beef lombardi casserole delivers classic comfort with layers of pasta, ground beef, and melted cheese. Southern-style goodness brings warmth to dinner tables with simple ingredients and rich flavors you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 12 ounces egg noodles
- 2 1/2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 3 cans (10 ounces each) diced tomatoes with chilies, drained
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
Creamy and Aromatic Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and warm oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté ground beef and onions until meat browns thoroughly, approximately 8-10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
- Incorporate tomato paste, minced garlic, selected seasonings, and diced tomatoes. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Cook pasta in boiling water for 3 minutes, carefully reserving 2 cups of pasta water before draining.
- Create a creamy sauce by whisking sour cream, cream cheese, cornstarch, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water until completely smooth and well-blended.
- Gently fold pasta into the cream sauce, incorporating remaining pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Assemble the casserole by spreading pasta mixture into a baking dish, then layering beef mixture on top, and finishing with a generous sprinkle of cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the casserole becomes bubbly and develops a light golden-brown crust on top.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes or adding jalapeños for extra spice lovers.
- Use ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter protein option that maintains the dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Reserve pasta cooking water carefully to control sauce consistency and prevent dry or overly runny casserole texture.
- Consider using low-fat cream cheese and sour cream for a healthier version without sacrificing creamy richness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg