Whenever Grandma cooked this, we’d eat every last crumb.
This warm and satisfying Beef Lombardi Casserole is a beloved Italian-American favorite. It’s ideal for a cozy weeknight meal or a family dinner.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ground beef | 1 lb |
| Onion, chopped | 1 medium |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
| Diced tomatoes, with juice | 1 can (14.5 oz) |
| Tomato paste | 1 can (6 oz) |
| Tomato sauce | 1 can (8 oz) |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Black pepper | 1 tsp |
| Dried oregano | 1 tsp |
| Dried basil | 1 tsp |
| Cooked elbow macaroni | 2 cups |
| Shredded cheddar cheese | 2 cups |
| Sour cream | 1 cup |
| Cottage cheese | 1 cup |
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and drain any excess fat.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion becomes translucent.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Mix Macaroni Filling: In a separate bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, sour cream, and cottage cheese.
- Assemble Casserole: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the macaroni mixture, half of the meat sauce, and half of the shredded cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, until the top is bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving.
