Description
Beef Lombardi is a hearty Southern comfort classic that brings family together around a warm, cheesy casserole packed with ground beef and pasta. Creamy, zesty, and satisfying, this dish delivers pure comfort straight from the oven to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 12 oz egg noodles
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 1 can tomato sauce (15 oz)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 350F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish for preparing this hearty casserole.
- Cook 12 oz egg noodles in salted boiling water for 8-9 minutes until al dente, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown 1 lb ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Add 1 chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the beef, sautéing until onions become translucent.
- Pour 14.5 oz diced tomatoes and 15 oz tomato sauce into the skillet, stirring in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Spread half the cooked noodles across the bottom of your baking dish in an even layer.
- Spoon half the beef mixture over the noodles, then dollop ½ cup ricotta cheese across the surface.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining noodles, beef mixture, and another ½ cup ricotta cheese.
- Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top of the casserole.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving to help it set.
Notes
- Always salt your pasta water generously to build flavor from the first step of cooking noodles.
- Brown the ground beef on high heat to develop a deep, rich caramelization that adds complexity to the dish.
- For a gluten-free version, swap egg noodles with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
- Make this casserole ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating, then baking when ready to serve – it actually tastes better after the flavors meld overnight.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 658 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg