Description
Hearty Beef Lombardi casserole brings comfort straight from Southern kitchens, blending rich pasta layers with savory ground beef and melted cheese. Creamy textures and robust flavors will transport you to a welcoming dinner table filled with homestyle warmth and delicious memories.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 2 cups cooked egg noodles
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetable and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce and Seasoning Components:
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz / 227 g) tomato sauce
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a culinary canvas by heating the oven to a perfect 350°F, creating an ideal environment for baking.
- Transform a skillet into a flavor conductor, drizzling olive oil and introducing diced onions and minced garlic, gently coaxing them to translucent tenderness.
- Introduce ground beef to the aromatic landscape, browning the meat thoroughly and eliminating any lingering fat reservoirs.
- Enhance the beef’s character by incorporating diced tomatoes, robust tomato sauce, and a symphony of spices: chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Allow this mixture to harmonize and intensify for 10 minutes.
- Craft a creamy alliance between sour cream and cooked noodles, creating a luxurious foundational layer.
- Architect your casserole in a greased baking vessel, laying down an initial stratum of the noodle-cream mixture.
- Cascade the seasoned beef mixture atop the noodle foundation, creating delectable strata of flavor.
- Crown the creation with a blanket of shredded cheddar cheese, promising a golden, molten finish.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, transforming it for 25-30 minutes until the cheese erupts into a bubbly, bronzed landscape.
- Pause the culinary journey momentarily, allowing the dish to settle and intensify its flavors before serving, optionally adorning with fresh parsley for a verdant flourish.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adjusting chili powder for milder or spicier versions.
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein option.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish completely gluten-free without compromising flavor.
- Let the casserole rest longer to allow flavors to meld and create a more cohesive texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg