Hearty Beef Lombardi Casserole Recipe: A Cozy Family Favorite

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this hearty beef lombardi casserole that promises comfort in every bite.

Generations of home cooks perfected this delightful recipe through decades of shared meals.

Pasta layers mingle with rich ground beef and melted cheese, creating a symphony of flavors.

Weeknight dinners demand something satisfying and quick, which this casserole delivers beautifully.

Creamy textures and robust seasonings make each forkful irresistibly delicious.

Cheese bubbles temptingly across the top, beckoning you to savor its warmth.

Hungry diners will fall in love with this classic dish that feels like a warm hug from grandma’s kitchen.

Beef Lombardi Casserole That’s Rich And Family Friendly

• Quick and Easy Family Feast: Beef Lombardi satisfies comfort food cravings with minimal kitchen effort.
• Minimal Prep Time Delight: Whips up in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners when time is short and hunger is high.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Adapts beautifully for picky eaters by allowing simple ingredient swaps like different cheeses or meat variations.
• Budget-Friendly Meal Solution: Uses accessible, affordable ingredients that stretch to feed multiple people without breaking the bank, delivering maximum flavor at minimum cost.

Ingredients Found in Beef Lombardi Casserole

• Ground Beef: Rich and hearty protein base for the casserole. Choose lean ground beef for less grease.
• Ricotta Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy and tangy cheese for pasta mixture. Select fresh, high-quality cheeses.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully on top, creating a golden cheesy crust.

• Onion, Garlic: Foundational flavor builders for the meat sauce. Fresh ingredients provide the best taste.
• Crushed Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, Tomato Paste: Create a robust, deep tomato base. San Marzano tomatoes work exceptionally well.

• Oregano, Basil: Classic Italian herbs that enhance the sauce's flavor profile. Use dried or fresh herbs.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy element for heat lovers.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning for balancing flavors. Use kosher or sea salt for better taste.

• Pasta: Pasta holds the casserole together. Any short pasta like penne or rigatoni works great.

Steps to Make Beef Lombardi Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375°F, getting ready for a delicious comfort meal that’ll make everyone’s mouth water.

Step 2: Brown The Beef

Grab a large skillet and cook ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles.

Drain away any extra grease to keep things lean and tasty.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic

Cook until they become soft and release their amazing flavors, around 5 minutes.

Step 4: Create Robust Sauce

• Crushed tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Tomato paste
• Oregano
• Basil
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Pepper

Let the sauce simmer and develop rich flavors for about 15-20 minutes.

Step 5: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Boil pasta according to package instructions until it reaches that ideal al dente texture.

Drain and set aside.

Step 6: Mix Cheesy Pasta Blend

• Cooked pasta
• Ricotta cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Mix everything thoroughly.

Step 7: Layer First Sauce Level

Pour half the meat sauce into a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating the first delicious foundation.

Step 8: Add Pasta Layer

Spread the cheesy pasta mixture evenly over the sauce.

Step 9: Top With Remaining Sauce

Pour the rest of the meat sauce over the pasta, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 10: Sprinkle Cheese Topping

Generously scatter shredded mozzarella cheese across the top.

Step 11: Bake To Perfection

Slide the casserole into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 12: Rest And Settle

Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes, letting flavors meld together.

Step 13: Garnish And Serve

Optional: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves on top for a pop of color and freshness.

Enjoy your mouthwatering Beef Lombardi Casserole!

Casserole Tips For Beefy Lombardi Layers

• Let the sauce simmer longer to develop deeper, richer taste profiles that enhance the overall complexity of the dish.
• Drain ground beef thoroughly and pat pasta dry to eliminate excess moisture that could make the casserole runny.
• Allow shredded mozzarella to come to room temperature before sprinkling to ensure more even and creamy melting across the top.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat preference, adding more for a kick or reducing for a milder version.
• Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.

Beef Lombardi Casserole Ready for Round Two

• Store leftover Beef Lombardi Casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Label the container with the date for easy tracking.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and ensure even heating.
• For quick individual servings, heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly and maintain moisture.

Comfort Pairings For Lombardi Casserole

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Choose a robust Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon that matches the rich beef and tomato sauce flavors, cutting through the casserole's hearty profile.
• Classic Italian Side Salad: Create a crisp arugula salad with shaved Parmesan, balsamic vinaigrette, and fresh cracked pepper to balance the casserole's warmth and provide refreshing contrast.
• Complement with Garlic Bread: Prepare crusty Italian bread brushed with olive oil, garlic, and parsley to soak up the delicious sauce and add a crunchy texture alongside the creamy pasta dish.
• Serve with Zesty Herb Roasted Vegetables: Roast colorful bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant with rosemary and thyme to introduce a lighter element that enhances the casserole's Mediterranean-inspired profile.

Beef Lombardi Casserole Versions

• Vegetarian Lombardi: Replace ground beef with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu, lentils, or textured vegetable protein. Maintain same seasoning and cooking techniques for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or corn. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. Use cauliflower rice as a base to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the rich, comforting flavor profile of the original recipe.
• Dairy-Free Option: Replace ricotta and mozzarella with cashew cheese or dairy-free alternatives. Use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor and use plant-based milk to maintain creamy texture.

FAQs

• What makes Beef Lombardi different from other pasta casseroles?

Beef Lombardi stands out with its rich meat sauce layered with pasta, ricotta, and multiple cheeses, creating a hearty and flavorful dish that’s more complex than traditional spaghetti bakes.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly as a leaner alternative. The seasoned sauce and multiple cheese layers will keep the casserole moist and delicious.

• Is this recipe considered budget-friendly?

Absolutely! The casserole uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, pasta, and common pantry spices, making it an economical meal that feeds multiple people without breaking the bank.

• How spicy is this dish with red pepper flakes?

Red pepper flakes are optional and add a very mild heat. You can control the spice level by adding just a pinch or skipping them entirely for a mild, family-friendly version.

Beef Lombardi Casserole Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty Beef Lombardi Casserole delivers comfort with layers of rich ground beef, zesty tomato sauce, and melted cheese. Pasta lovers will savor this classic Southern dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 lb (453 g) ground beef
• 1 (15-ounce/425 g) container ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Tomato and Pasta Components:

• 1 (28-ounce/794 g) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce/425 g) can tomato sauce
• 1 (6-ounce/170 g) can tomato paste
• 1 lb (453 g) pasta (such as penne, rigatoni, or rotini)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Ignite the oven to a warm 375°F, creating the perfect environment for a hearty culinary experience.
2. In a robust skillet, transform ground beef into a crumbly, caramelized canvas, meticulously eliminating excess lipids.
3. Introduce diced onions and fragrant garlic, sautéing until translucent and aromatic, releasing their subtle essence.
4. Craft a vibrant sauce by incorporating crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and concentrated tomato paste, seasoned with oregano, basil, optional red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer and develop deep, complex flavors for approximately 15-20 minutes.
5. Simultaneously, prepare pasta until it reaches the perfect al dente texture, then gently drain and set aside.
6. Marry the cooked pasta with creamy ricotta and aged Parmesan, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
7. Establish a flavor foundation by spreading half the robust meat sauce across the bottom of a spacious 9×13-inch baking vessel.
8. Delicately arrange the pasta-cheese mixture atop the initial sauce layer, ensuring even distribution.
9. Cascade the remaining meat sauce over the pasta, creating a rich, layered landscape.
10. Generously crown the casserole with a blanket of melty mozzarella, promising a golden, bubbling finale.
11. Bake the assembled masterpiece for 25-30 minutes, allowing the cheese to transform into a molten, appetizing surface.
12. Grant the casserole a brief respite of 10 minutes, enabling flavors to settle and texture to stabilize.
13. Optional: Embellish with fresh basil leaves, introducing a final touch of verdant freshness.

Notes

• Customize meat options by substituting ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein alternative.
• Enhance pasta texture by cooking slightly under al dente, as it will continue cooking during baking and prevent mushy consistency.
• Control spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or replacing with mild paprika for those preferring less heat.
• Make ahead by preparing the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, storing covered in the refrigerator, and baking when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg