By Michele 
Indulge in the savory delight of Beef Lombardi, a timeless casserole that promises to captivate your palate. This recipe harmoniously blends the robust flavor of ground beef with the tangy zest of tomatoes and the velvety richness of melted cheese. Follow these meticulous steps to craft a culinary masterpiece that will undoubtedly earn you requests for seconds from your loved ones and guests.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- 1 can (15 ounces) of tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) of diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces of penne pasta, cooked according to package instructions
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, then drain off any excess fat.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the ground beef, cooking until the onion is softened.
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked penne pasta on the bottom.
- Spread half of the meat sauce over the pasta.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the meat sauce.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining penne pasta, meat sauce, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
- Garnish the Beef Lombardi with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and relish the flavors!