Mom's Louie Slum Gooey

2 lbs of lean ground beef


1 medium onion


1 16ox box of Rigatoni Noodles


1-2 blocks (or 1 32 oz pkg of sharp cheddar cheese) shredded


2 14 oz cans whole tomatoes


2 tsp oregano


salt and pepper to taste

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook noodles according to box instructions. Brown ground beef and onion in a large skillet. Add oregano once meat is browned. Add tomatoes (and juice) to the meat mixture, crushing them in your hand as you add them. Add about 1/2 the amount of the grated cheese. Mix well and let simmer about 5 minutes.

Drain and rinse noodles. Place noodles in a greased 9" x 13" baking dish. Pour meat mixture over noodles. Mix well, sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake about 30 mins. My family likes a more cheesy topping so I put less in the meat mixture and more on top. Try adding a 10 oz bag of corn, chopped bell pepper or other vegetables to your meat mixture for a great variation on this recipe. I usually serve this dish with warmed Vienna or Italian bread.