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Beef Lombardi Casserole

A hearty and satisfying classic, this Beef Lombardi Casserole is an ideal make-ahead comfort dish, featuring rich ground beef, seasoned tomato blends, creamy noodles, and a melty trio of cheeses. Suitable for freezing and perfect for a crowd.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 10-ounce can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 6-ounce package medium egg noodles
  • 1 6-ounce can tomato paste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Set it aside. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned and no pink remains, then drain the excess fat. Incorporate the diced tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and tomato paste into the skillet, blending well. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes to develop the flavors. Meanwhile, cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions, then drain thoroughly. In a separate bowl, combine the hot noodles with the sour cream, stirring until evenly coated. Spread this noodle mixture evenly across the base of the prepared baking dish. Pour the beef and tomato sauce mixture over the noodles, smoothing it out into an even layer. Sprinkle the top with cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese in succession. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the cover and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.

Notes

You may replace ground beef with turkey or sausage if preferred. For a milder flavor, use MILD Rotel. This casserole can be assembled in advance and stored in the refrigerator—add extra bake time if cooking directly from cold. It also freezes well; thaw completely before baking as directed. Halve the recipe or divide it into two pans for a smaller batch. Sour cream can be substituted with plain Greek yogurt. Feel free to swap out cheeses to suit your taste. A touch of dried parsley can be added as a garnish after baking for a hint of color.