Description
This comforting Beef Lombardi recipe features tender ground beef simmered in a flavorful tomato and chili sauce, combined with creamy cheese and tender egg noodles, then baked to perfection. It’s a hearty, cheesy casserole perfect for family dinners or gatherings, balancing savory and tangy flavors with a satisfying cheesy crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons (3 oz) tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 (10 oz) cans diced tomatoes & chilies (like Ro-Tel), drained
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
Noodles and Cheese Mixture
- 1 (12 oz) package egg noodles
- 1 ¼ cups sour cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 ½ cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Brown Beef: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and lean ground beef, cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 8-10 minutes. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Make Sauce: Stir the tomato paste, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, celery salt, and drained diced tomatoes with chilies into the browned beef mixture. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the liquid reduces slightly and the flavors meld together.
- Cook Noodles: While the beef mixture simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook for exactly 3 minutes to ensure they are slightly undercooked. Drain the noodles, reserving 2 cups of the cooking water for the cheese mixture.
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, softened cream cheese, cornstarch, and ½ cup of the reserved noodle cooking water until smooth and creamy. Stir this cheese mixture into the cooked noodles, adding the remaining reserved water as needed to loosen the noodles and help blend the mixture evenly.
- Assemble and Bake: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the noodle and cheese mixture into the dish and season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Spread the prepared beef mixture evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese generously on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to brown, indicating a perfect golden crust.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, use diced tomatoes with chilies that have extra heat or add some chopped jalapeños.
- Be sure not to overcook the noodles; undercooking prevents them from becoming mushy after baking.
- Softening cream cheese before mixing helps achieve a smooth cheese sauce.
- Reserve noodle cooking water carefully as it helps in binding the cheese mixture and loosens the noodles for better texture.
- If desired, substitute Colby Jack cheese with a blend of cheddar and mozzarella for a different cheesy flavor.
