Description
Hearty beef lombardi casserole delivers classic comfort with ground beef, pasta, and melted cheese. Home cooks appreciate this simple midwestern classic that serves families with rich, satisfying flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 can (10 oz / 283 g) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies (with juice)
- 1 can (6 oz / 170 g) tomato paste
- 1 package (6 oz / 170 g) medium egg noodles
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Warm oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Meat Foundation: Brown ground beef in a skillet, crumbling thoroughly and draining excess fat completely.
- Flavor Development: Incorporate diced tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasonings into the beef. Simmer sauce for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
- Noodle Preparation: Cook egg noodles in salted water until al dente, then gently fold in sour cream for a creamy texture.
- Layering Technique: Create a smooth noodle base in the baking dish, then pour seasoned meat sauce evenly across the surface.
- Cheese Finale: Sprinkle a harmonious blend of cheddar, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese over the meat layer.
- Baking Process: Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 5-10 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Serving: Rest the casserole for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to settle. Serve with complementary sides like garlic bread or a crisp garden salad.
Notes
- Drain Fat Thoroughly: Remove all excess grease from ground beef to prevent a greasy, heavy casserole and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing dish.
- Simmer Sauce Patiently: Allow meat sauce to reduce and develop deep flavors by maintaining a gentle simmer, which concentrates the tomato and spice profile.
- Coat Noodles Smoothly: Fold sour cream into hot noodles carefully to create a creamy base without creating lumpy or uneven texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Cover casserole initially to prevent cheese from burning, then uncover to achieve a perfect golden, bubbly cheese topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 491
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 719 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg