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Beef Lombardi Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.2 from 67 reviews

Beef Lombardi Casserole is a hearty and flavorful baked dish that combines tender ground beef, savory tomato sauce with a hint of heat from chilies, perfectly cooked egg noodles, and a rich creamy cheese mixture. Topped with melted Colby Jack cheese, this comforting casserole is perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Mixture

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3 cans (10 ounces each) diced tomatoes with chilies, drained
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery salt

Pasta and Cream Mixture

  • 1 package (12 ounces) egg noodles
  • 1 1/4 cups sour cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Topping

  • 2 1/2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Prepare Oven and Skillet: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to get ready for browning the beef mixture.
  2. Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef and chopped onion to the skillet. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is well-browned and the onions are translucent. Season with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.
  3. Enhance Flavors: Stir in the tomato paste, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, celery salt, and the drained diced tomatoes with chilies. Cook for an additional 5 minutes while stirring frequently to allow all flavors to meld together.
  4. Cook Noodles: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the egg noodles for 3 minutes until partially cooked. Reserve 2 cups of the noodle cooking water, then drain the noodles.
  5. Make Cream Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, softened cream cheese, cornstarch, and 1/2 cup of the reserved noodle water until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  6. Combine Ingredients: Return the drained noodles and the remaining reserved noodle water back into the large pot. Pour the cream mixture over the noodles and stir gently to combine. Transfer this mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  7. Assemble Casserole: Evenly spread the beef mixture over the noodles in the baking dish. Use the back of a spoon to smooth the top for an even layer.
  8. Bake: Sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the beef layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned on top. Remove from oven and let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Draining the diced tomatoes with chilies helps prevent excess moisture in the casserole for a better texture.
  • Partially cooking the noodles prevents them from becoming mushy after baking.
  • You can substitute Colby Jack cheese with Monterey Jack or mild cheddar if desired.
  • For a spicier casserole, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
  • Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content but retain flavor.
  • Make sure to soften the cream cheese before mixing to avoid lumps.

Keywords: Beef Lombardi Casserole, ground beef casserole, baked casserole, creamy beef pasta bake, Colby Jack cheese casserole

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/beef-lombardi-casserole-recipe/