Description
Beef Lombardi is a comforting American casserole featuring a savory ground beef and tomato sauce mixture layered over creamy rice and cheeses, baked to perfection for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
Dairy and Grains
- 1 cup cooked long grain white rice
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Others
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat and grease dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish using cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks to ensure even cooking.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions soften and become translucent, enhancing the flavor base.
- Add seasoning and sauces: Stir in salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Then add the canned diced tomatoes with their juices and the tomato sauce. Let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes to meld the flavors and thicken slightly.
- Mix rice and cheeses: In a separate bowl, combine the cooked long grain white rice with sour cream and cottage cheese until thoroughly mixed and creamy.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread the rice and cheese mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form a base layer. Then spoon the beef and tomato sauce mixture evenly over the rice layer.
- Add cheese toppings and bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top of the beef layer. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese melts, turns bubbly, and lightly browns on top.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven, garnish it with the sliced green onions, and serve warm for a delicious family meal.
Notes
- This dish can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake, making it convenient for busy days.
- For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some diced green chiles to the beef mixture during cooking.
