The Ultimate Beef Lombardi Casserole Recipe: Family Favorite

Beef lombardi casserole redefines ordinary weeknight dinners into a mouthwatering experience that sparks culinary excitement.

Southern comfort food reaches new heights with this hearty meal combining robust meat and creamy textures.

Layered ingredients meld together, creating a harmonious blend of rich flavors that dance across your palate.

Culinary magic happens when simple components unite in a single baking dish, promising warm, satisfying comfort.

Home cooks appreciate the straightforward preparation that yields impressive results without complicated techniques.

Families gather around this delectable creation, eager to savor each cheesy, meaty bite.

Your dinner table will come alive with excitement and anticipation.

Smart Tips for That Just-Right Cheese and Beef Balance

• Meat Mastery: Brown ground beef thoroughly to ensure no pink remains, maximizing flavor and food safety.
• Noodle Know-How: Cook egg noodles just until al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain perfect texture in the casserole.
• Cheese Charm: Mix different cheese varieties for a more complex and rich flavor profile that melts beautifully.
• Sauce Sophistication: Let the meat sauce simmer longer to develop deeper, more concentrated flavors and achieve ideal thickness.
• Foil Finesse: Cover with foil during initial baking to prevent cheese from burning while ensuring even heating throughout the dish.

Leftover Beef Lombardi? Here’s How to Keep It Tasting Fresh

• Refrigeration: Seal leftover Beef Lombardi casserole in an airtight container or tightly wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness. Properly stored, the casserole will stay delicious for 3-4 days in the fridge.
• Freezing: Wrap the casserole securely in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. Pro tip: Freeze individual portions for easy future meals.
• Reheating: Thaw refrigerated or frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Warm in a preheated 350°F oven covered with foil for 20-25 minutes. Add a splash of extra cheese or a drizzle of milk to prevent drying out.

Side Dishes That Play Well with Beef Lombardi Casserole

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the rich, meaty flavors of the Beef Lombardi Casserole. These wines match perfectly with the hearty beef and tomato sauce, cutting through the creamy cheese layers.
• Fresh Side Salad Solution: Craft a crisp mixed green salad with light vinaigrette dressing to balance the casserole's richness. Toss in some cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion for added freshness and texture that contrasts the warm, cheesy dish.
• Garlic Bread Crunch: Prepare crusty garlic bread with herbs to soak up the delicious sauce and add a crunchy texture. Toasted slices with a hint of butter and minced garlic will elevate the entire meal, providing a perfect accompaniment to the casserole's creamy layers.
• Cool Beverage Pairing: Serve with a cold craft beer like an amber ale or light lager to cut through the dish's richness. These beverages offer a refreshing counterpoint to the heavy, cheesy casserole, cleansing the palate between bites.

Beef Lombardi Recipe Variations to Keep Things Fresh

• Spicy Southwest Beef Casserole: Replace Rotel with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, add black beans, and sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top for extra crunch.
• Mediterranean Lamb Fusion: Swap ground beef for ground lamb, mix in oregano and feta cheese, top with kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired version.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Marinara: Use portobello mushrooms instead of beef, incorporate Italian herbs, and layer with ricotta cheese for a hearty meatless alternative.
• Tex-Mex Chicken Bake: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken, add taco seasoning, include corn kernels, and garnish with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern flair.

What Makes Beef Lombardi Casserole a Retro Winner

• Savor Cheesy Comfort: Dive into a hearty casserole that blends rich, melted cheeses with perfectly seasoned ground beef, creating a mouthwatering dish that hugs your taste buds with warmth and satisfaction.
• Master Easy Layering Magic: Discover a foolproof cooking method that allows even novice cooks to build impressive layers of creamy noodles, zesty meat sauce, and a golden cheese topping with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Customize for Any Crowd: Enjoy a versatile recipe that easily feeds a hungry family or works wonderfully for potlucks, offering flexibility to adjust spice levels or swap ingredients to match personal preferences and dietary needs.

Everything You’ll Need for This Bold Beef Bake

• Ground Beef: Lean protein that forms the hearty base of the casserole, providing rich flavor and substance.

• Diced Tomatoes, Rotel Diced Tomatoes: Fresh, tangy base that adds moisture and bright tomato flavor to the dish.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that helps thicken the sauce and intensify overall tomato profile.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that balance and elevate the dishs taste.
• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder: Convenient dried seasonings that provide deep, aromatic background notes.

• Medium Egg Noodles: Classic pasta that creates a soft, comforting foundation for the casserole.

• Sour Cream: Adds rich, tangy creaminess that helps bind noodles and creates a smooth texture.

• Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Blend of cheeses that melts beautifully, creating a golden, gooey top layer with complex cheese flavors.

• Cooking Spray: Helps prevent sticking and ensures easy casserole removal.
• Aluminum Foil: Covers casserole during initial baking to retain moisture and prevent excessive browning.

How to Build Layers of Flavor in Beef Lombardi Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown Ground Beef

Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Break into small pieces while cooking until no pink remains. Drain excess fat from the pan.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Sauce

• Diced tomatoes
• Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Tomato paste

Stir ingredients thoroughly to combine and blend flavors.

Step 4: Simmer Sauce

Reduce heat and let sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps develop rich flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.

Step 5: Cook Egg Noodles

Boil salted water in a large pot. Cook medium egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain completely and transfer to a separate bowl.

Step 6: Create Creamy Noodle Base

Mix sour cream into hot noodles, ensuring even coating without clumps.

Step 7: Layer Noodle Base

Spread creamy noodles evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 8: Add Meat Sauce Layer

Pour meat sauce over noodles, using a spatula to create an even layer covering the entire surface.

Step 9: Create Cheese Topping

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Shredded mozzarella cheese

Sprinkle cheese mixture evenly over the meat sauce layer.

Step 10: Bake Casserole

Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 5-10 minutes until cheese turns golden brown and bubbly.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Pair with garlic bread, garden salad, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Beef Lombardi Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Beef Lombardi Casserole delivers hearty Southern comfort straight from Texas kitchens. Layers of tender ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal that welcomes hungry families to the dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef

Cheese and Dairy:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup sour cream

Tomato and Seasoning Components:

• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies (with juice)
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 1 package (6 ounces) medium egg noodles
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains. Drain excess fat completely.
3. Add diced tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to the beef. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
4. Reduce heat and simmer the meat sauce for 15-20 minutes, stirring periodically to develop rich flavors and allow sauce to slightly thicken.
5. Simultaneously, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook medium egg noodles according to package instructions until they reach al dente consistency. Drain noodles completely.
6. Fold sour cream into the hot noodles, ensuring even coating without creating lumps.
7. Spread the creamy noodles as an even base layer in the prepared baking dish.
8. Pour the seasoned meat sauce over the noodle layer, distributing evenly with a spatula.
9. Blend cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese in a bowl. Sprinkle the cheese mixture uniformly across the top of the meat sauce.
10. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.
11. Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Accompany with garlic bread or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal.

Notes

• Discover a hearty one-dish wonder that transforms simple ingredients into a comforting meal bursting with cheesy goodness.
• Perfectly balanced layers of tender egg noodles, zesty meat sauce, and melted cheese create an irresistible family-favorite casserole.
• Customizable recipe allows for easy ingredient swaps like ground turkey or different cheese blends to match your taste preferences.
• Meal prep champions will love that this dish freezes beautifully, making it an excellent option for busy weeknight dinners or advance planning.
• Leftover magic happens when flavors meld overnight, making next-day servings even more delicious and satisfying.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 487 kcal
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 97mg