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Beef Lombardi Casserole

A hearty Southern-inspired casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, tangy tomatoes, and creamy cheese layered over tender egg noodles. This comforting dish combines Italian flavors with American comfort food for a satisfying family meal.  
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main-course
Cuisine: American-Italian
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • ½ onion chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 4 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 3 cans 10 oz each diced tomatoes with chilies, drained
  • ¼ tsp celery salt
  • 1 package 12 oz egg noodles
  • 1¼ cups sour cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2½ cups Colby Jack cheese shredded

Method
 

  1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your casserole will cook evenly and achieve that perfectly golden, bubbly cheese top.
  2. Brown the Meat: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and ground beef, cooking until the beef is completely browned and the onions are translucent. Season with salt and pepper to build the first layer of flavor.
  3. Add Aromatics and Tomatoes: Stir in the tomato paste, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, celery salt, and drained diced tomatoes with chilies. Cook for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and for the tomato paste to caramelize slightly.
  4. Prepare the Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles for just 3 minutes until slightly underdone (they'll finish cooking in the oven). Before draining, reserve 2 cups of the starchy noodle water for the sauce.
  5. Make the Cream Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, softened cream cheese, cornstarch, and ½ cup of the reserved noodle water until smooth and well combined. This creates a velvety sauce that will coat the noodles perfectly.
  6. Assemble the Casserole: Mix the partially cooked noodles with the remaining reserved noodle water, then transfer them to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the noodles to create a distinct layer.
  7. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese over the entire casserole, ensuring even coverage for that perfect cheesy top layer.
  8. Bake to Perfection: Bake the casserole for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown at the edges.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, you can add ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the topping.
  • Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set.
  • This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
  • For a spicier version, use "hot" diced tomatoes with chilies or add red pepper flakes.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.