Beef Lombardi Casserole
A creamy, flavorful casserole that combines tender ground beef, rich cheese, and pasta for a satisfying comfort food meal. With quick preparation and oven baking, it's an easy family-friendly dish that brings everyone to the dinner table.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef choose a lean mix for less grease
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jar marinara sauce 24 oz
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning to taste
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling a pot of salted water. Cook your rotini or penne according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Beef and Onions: In a skillet over medium heat, brown your ground beef along with chopped onions. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic in the last minute of cooking.
- Add Sauce: Once cooked, drain any excess grease from the skillet. Pour in the marinara sauce, mixing it well with the beef and onions. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the pasta with the beef mixture. Stir in the ricotta cheese until everything is well combined. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese followed by the remaining pasta mixture. Top with the rest of the mozzarella cheese and finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.