Great Goulash

I made this dish for Ashley's family and they loved it. What an honor it was to have them praise my food in such a way! I was a brand new stay-at-home Mommy at the time and wasn't really big into cooking. To this day, ever so often Ashley calls or emails me wanting this recipe. Maybe her family's interest in my cooking is what sparked my interest in cooking? Although, I must give credit where credit is due. I used to make goulash the way our family does, which is absolutely delicious, but Joe, never leaving well enough alone, concocted this recipe. I have merely given it life.

1 lb hamburger meat
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 can Italian-seasoned diced tomatoes, drained
Italian seasoning
Garlic salt
Pepper
1 box Penne Rigate pasta
1 package sliced provolone
1 8 oz package shredded mozzarella cheese
*Be creative with the cheese. Sometimes I use sliced mozzarella and shredded Italian blend cheese.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook pasta according to directions on box.

Brown meat with onion. While cooking, season meat with garlic salt, pepper and Italian seasoning to your liking. (I have no idea how much I add!)
Once meat is browned, drain off any fat, reduce heat to low and add the tomatoes to the meat. Stir until tomatoes are heated and remove from heat.

Once pasta is cooked, drain and return to pan. Add meat mixture to pasta and mix.

Spread one half into a glass casserole dish and top with sliced cheese. Layer the other half on top, spread, and sprinkle evenly with shredded cheese.

Place in oven just until cheese is melted, any longer and the noodles may get crunchy! Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

I like to serve this dish with a side salad and ciabatta bread. Bon Appetit!

Serves about 8, but we LOVE the leftovers!