This Beef Lombardi is a hearty and flavorful casserole featuring seasoned ground beef in a tomato-chili sauce, layered with tender egg noodles in a creamy, cheesy sauce, all baked to bubbly perfection. It’s a comforting and satisfying dish with a bit of a kick from the diced tomatoes and chilies.

Beef Lombardi

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Brown Beef and Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and ground beef to the pan. Cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the beef is browned and cooked through and the onion is softened. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Add Tomato Sauce Ingredients: Add the tomato paste, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, celery salt, and drained diced tomatoes & chilies (like Ro-tel) to the skillet with the beef mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until some of the liquid begins to cook off and the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Cook Egg Noodles (Partially): While the beef mixture is cooking, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook them for only 3 minutes (they will continue to cook in the oven). Reserve 2 cups of the noodle cooking water before draining the noodles. Drain the partially cooked noodles and set them aside.
5. Prepare Cream Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, softened cream cheese, and cornstarch until the mixture is smooth. Gradually whisk in ½ cup of the reserved hot noodle water until the sauce is creamy.
6. Combine Noodles and Sauce: Stir the partially cooked and drained egg noodles into the sour cream mixture along with the remaining reserved noodle water. Season lightly with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
7. Assemble Casserole: Pour the noodle mixture into a greased 9×13 inch deep-sided baking dish. Sprinkle the top of the noodles lightly with salt and pepper.
8. Layer Beef Mixture: Spread the prepared beef and tomato mixture evenly over the top of the noodle layer. Use the back of a spoon to level the beef mixture, ensuring that most of the noodles are covered by the sauce.
9. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the top of the beef mixture.
10. Bake: Bake in the center of the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to brown.
11. Cool Slightly and Serve: Let the Beef Lombardi casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this creamy, cheesy, and slightly spicy pasta bake!