Description
Beef Lombardi is a comforting and hearty casserole featuring browned lean ground beef simmered in a flavorful tomato and chili sauce, combined with tender egg noodles and a creamy cheese mixture, then baked to perfection with a golden melted Colby Jack cheese topping. This family-friendly dish brings together rich, savory flavors and a delightful cheesy texture in a one-dish meal perfect for weeknights or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings & Sauces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons (3 oz) tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 (10 oz) cans diced tomatoes & chilies (like Ro-Tel), drained
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
Pasta
- 1 (12 oz) package egg noodles
Cheese Mixture
- 1 ¼ cups sour cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 ½ cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Brown Beef: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and lean ground beef, cooking until the beef is browned and the onions are tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to enhance flavors.
- Make Sauce: Stir tomato paste, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, celery salt, and the drained diced tomatoes & chilies into the browned beef mixture. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the liquid begins to reduce and flavors meld together.
- Cook Noodles: While the beef sauce cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook them for only 3 minutes to keep them firm. Drain the noodles but reserve 2 cups of the cooking water for the cheese mixture.
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, softened cream cheese, cornstarch, and ½ cup of the reserved noodle water until smooth and creamy. Then stir in the partially cooked noodles along with the remaining reserved noodle water to gently loosen the mixture.
- Assemble and Bake: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and pour in the cheesy noodle mixture. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Evenly spoon the beef and tomato sauce mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly across the top. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top.
Notes
- Do not overcook noodles initially; firm noodles will finish cooking in the oven without becoming mushy.
- Draining the diced tomatoes & chilies prevents excess liquid, which helps avoid a watery casserole.
- The cornstarch in the cheese mixture helps thicken and stabilize the creamy texture during baking.
- Using lean ground beef keeps the dish flavorful but less greasy.
- Feel free to substitute Colby Jack cheese with a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack for a similar taste.
