1-Getting started with Beef Lombardi Casserole: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure even cooking. This dish takes about 20 minutes to prepare and around 1 hour to cook, totaling about 1 hour and 20 minutes, making it a practical choice for weeknight dinners.

2-First: heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the 1 pound of lean ground beef and 1/2 finely chopped onion for 8 to 10 minutes until the beef browns and the onions turn translucent, seasoning with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir in 4 tablespoons tomato paste, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon celery salt, and the 3 cans of drained diced tomatoes with chilies, then cook for 5 minutes to thicken the mixture.

3-Meanwhile, boil the 1 package of 12 ounces egg noodles for 3 minutes, reserving about 2 cups of the noodle water before draining. In a bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups sour cream, 4 ounces softened cream cheese, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and half a cup of the reserved noodle water until smooth. Combine the noodles with the remaining reserved water, transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, and season with salt and pepper. Layer the beef mixture over the noodles and sprinkle 2 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese on top.

4-Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese bubbles and browns slightly. For a similar twist, try our baked ziti recipe, which uses pasta in a savory way. Remember, partially cooking the egg noodles lets them finish in the oven for the best texture.