Hmmm, I guess pasta is pasta, regardless of the shape.Basically yes it is a southern thing. At least the kind I was eating.
Finely ground hamburger mixed with a favorite sauce. Noodles boiled like normal. Mix together in a casserole dish and bake 20 minutes at 350 with foil covering the dish.
Remove from oven and cover with mozzerella, cheddar, parmesion or whatever cheese you prefer. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes.
Italian restaraunts serve it with or without cheese on top depending on the style of the particular owner.
My wife made a similar casserole, with small shells. The top layer of it was bread crumbs. It was cooked without a cover of foil for the crumbs to get toasty. The meat was fried and added to the sauce before baking.