Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a hearty serving of Beef Lombardi. This classic casserole dish combines the richness of ground beef, the freshness of tomatoes, and the gooey goodness of melted cheese. Follow this comprehensive guide to create a culinary masterpiece that will leave your family and guests asking for seconds.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat Your Oven:
   • Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the Ground Beef:
   • In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat.
3. Sauté Onion and Garlic:
   • Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook until the onion is softened.
4. Prepare the Flavorful Sauce:
   • Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Layering Magic:
   • In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked penne pasta on the bottom.
6. Add Meat Sauce:
   • Spread half of the meat sauce over the pasta.
7. Cheese Galore:
   • Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the meat sauce.
8. Repeat the Layers:
   • Repeat the layers with the remaining penne pasta, meat sauce, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese.
9. Bake to Perfection:
   • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Final Touch:
    • 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.
11. Garnish and Serve:
    • Garnish the Beef Lombardi with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!