Description
Best Beef Lombardi is a comforting and hearty casserole featuring a savory blend of lean ground beef, tomato-infused sauce, tender egg noodles, and layers of creamy cheese. This baked dish combines rich flavors and creamy textures, making it a perfect family meal that’s easy to prepare and always satisfying.
Ingredients
Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 4 tablespoons (3 oz) tomato paste
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 (10 oz) cans diced tomatoes & chilies, drained
- 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
Noodles & Cream Mixture
- 1 (12 oz) package egg noodles
- 1 1/4 cups sour cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- reserved noodle cooking water (about 2 1/2 cups total reserved)
Topping
- 2 1/2 cups Colby Jack cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Beef Mixture: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and lean ground beef. Cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking apart the beef and stirring occasionally until the beef is browned and onions are softened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add Flavorings to Beef: Stir in the tomato paste, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, celery salt, and the drained diced tomatoes with chilies. Cook the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until some of the liquid cooks off and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Cook Noodles: While the beef mixture cooks, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook for only 3 minutes (al dente). Reserve 2 cups of the noodle cooking water, then drain the noodles and set aside.
- Mix Cream Sauce and Noodles: In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream, softened cream cheese, cornstarch, and ½ cup of the reserved noodle water. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Stir the cooked noodles into this mixture along with the remaining reserved noodle water to combine well.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9”x13” deep-sided baking dish. Pour the creamy noodle mixture into the dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Spread the beef mixture evenly over the noodles, making sure to cover all the noodles with the beef layer. Then, evenly sprinkle the Colby Jack cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned on top. Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Reserve the noodle cooking water to help create a creamy sauce with the sour cream and cream cheese.
- Cooking noodles only partially ensures they finish cooking in the oven without becoming mushy.
- You can substitute Colby Jack cheese with Monterey Jack or mild cheddar.
- This dish contains milk, gluten, and wheat allergens.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the beef mixture if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 58 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American