Beef Lombardi Casserole. The Masterpiece of comfort food is Beef Lombardi Casserole! It consists of ground beef, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes and egg noodles and is as good as it sounds. The dish is easy to prepare and can be prepared in advance, as well.
Ingredients
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Lean Ground Beef: This is a lean cut of beef and so one has to get a good, clean cut so that it does not taste like a lot of grease.
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Egg Noodles: It is necessary because they have a great texture, and they are good in receiving all savory tastes.
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Tomatoes and chilies: You can add canned tomatoes with chilies, like Ro-tel. It gives the dish a little spice and more flavor.
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Cheeses: Mixed with cream cheese, the casserole acquires a melting in your mouth texture with Colby Jack.
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Seasonings: An Italian herb mixture, garlic powder, and celery salt are added in order to add subtle flavor to the other ingredients.
Instructions
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Pre-heat your oven to 350°F. Heat a large skillet of olive oil on medium heat, saute the chopped onion and ground beef until the beef has been well-browned and the onions are clear.
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Combine the skillet with tomato paste, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, celery salt, the drained chopped tomatoes and chilies. Bake until the casserole mixture becomes a little thick and this will enhance the tastes of your casserole.
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Put a pot of water to boil and cook the egg noodles only three minutes—they should be undercooked because they are going to cook further in the oven. Reserve a section of the noodle water.
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In a different bowl, crack sour cream, soft cream cheese, and cornstarch and add one of the dashes of the reserved noodle water. This will add a creamy baked dish.
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Add the half-cooked noodles to a part of the reserved noodle water and put the dish in an oiled baking pan. Sprinkle the noodles with the beef mixture.
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Preheat oven with Colby Jack cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and has a golden bubbly crust.
Storage Options
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Once you have eaten your food, any remaining casserole can be stored in the fridge up to three days. Ensure it is well covered with plastic wrap or an airtight container.
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To store in the long term, freeze the casserole in portions and store up to a maximum of two months.
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It can be reheated in the oven or microwave till warm to deliver an easy and gratifying meal when needed.
Differences and Replacements
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Meat Alternatives: Use ground turkey or chicken as a lighter option, or crumbled tofu/plant-based meat for a vegan version.
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Cheese Substitutes: Use mozzarella cheese or pepper jack instead of Colby Jack.
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Gluten-Free Modification: Replace normal egg noodles with gluten-free noodles.
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Add Vegetables: Add spinach, mushrooms, or bell pepper to improve flavor, texture, and nutrition.
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You can do any of these variations to your preferences! Happy cooking!