Description
Beef Lombardi is a comforting American casserole featuring a flavorful blend of seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, and cheeses layered over creamy rice. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this cheesy beef bake combines savory ingredients with a melty cheese topping, garnished with fresh green onions for a delicious and hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 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
Rice Mixture
- 1 cup cooked long grain white rice
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup cottage cheese
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced
Other
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions are softened and fragrant.
- Season and simmer: Stir in the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Then add the diced tomatoes with their juices and tomato sauce. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 10 minutes to develop flavor and meld the ingredients.
- Mix the rice base: In a separate bowl, combine the cooked rice, sour cream, and cottage cheese until evenly mixed.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread the rice mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer the cooked beef mixture over the rice.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the beef layer, creating a cheesy, melty topping.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the dish is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle sliced green onions on top for freshness. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting Beef Lombardi casserole.
Notes
- This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake, making it convenient for busy days.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or diced green chiles to the beef mixture during cooking.
- Use a blend of cheeses or substitute with your favorite varieties for a different flavor profile.
