Johnny Marzetti

This delicious Johnny Marzetti is a quick and comforting meal that’s perfect for busy nights. Packed with creamy melted cheese, hearty ground beef, and tender pasta, it’s a family favorite everyone will love. Plus, you can easily customize it with ingredients you already have in your kitchen!

Ingredients Needed

• 12 oz mushrooms (cleaned and chopped or sliced)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (or neutral cooking oil)
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 bell pepper (any color, seeded and finely chopped)
• Salt (to taste)
• 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef (90% lean)
• 1 (28 oz) can whole plum tomatoes (in juice)
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 12 oz elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 8 oz grated cheddar cheese (about 2 cups, divided)
• 4 oz grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 1/2 cups, divided)

How To Make Johnny Marzetti

1.  Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish; set aside.
2. Cook the Vegetables and Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms to the dry skillet. Stir occasionally for 5–8 minutes until soft and browned. Set aside. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon oil, and once it’s hot, cook the onion for about 6 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and bell pepper, cooking for an additional minute. Season with salt.
3. Add the Ground Beef: Add 1 1/2 lbs ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon. Cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
4. Add Tomatoes and Seasoning: Crush the can of tomatoes by hand and add them (with their juices) to the skillet. Stir in tomato paste, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Let simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes. Add the reserved mushrooms and simmer for an additional 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
5. 5. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until just slightly undercooked (al dente). Drain well.
6. Assemble the Casserole: Return the drained pasta to the pot. Add the cooked sauce mixture and toss everything together. Stir in half of the cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Transfer everything to the greased baking dish and top with the remaining cheeses.
7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the macaroni just until al dente. This way, it won’t get mushy when baked in the casserole.
• Use Lean Ground Beef: Opt for lean beef (90% lean) to keep the dish flavorful without too much grease.
• Season the Sauce Well: Make sure to taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper for the perfect flavor.
• Grate Your Own Cheese: Freshly grated cheddar and Parmesan melt better and give the dish a smoother texture.
• Let It Rest Before Serving: Allow the casserole to sit for about 10 minutes after baking so it firms up and is easier to serve.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Let the Johnny Marzetti cool to room temperature. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: After cooling, wrap the casserole tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat for 20–25 minutes at 350°F.
• Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway, until hot and bubbly.

Nutrition Fact

Serving Size: 1 serving (based on a 6-serving recipe)

• Calories: 790
• Total Fat: 53g
• Saturated Fat: 25g
• Cholesterol: 152mg
• Sodium: 1,301mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 39g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 41g
• Calcium: 559mg
• Iron: 5mg
• Potassium: 817mg

More Recipes:

• Mac and Cheese Recipe
• Spaghetti Mac and Cheese Recipe
• Spicy Mac and Cheese Recipe
• Fiery Baked Pepper Mac and Cheese
• Taco Mac and Cheese