Craving some serious comfort food? Look no further than Johnny Marzetti casserole!
This dish has such a fun history, originating from Teresa Marzetti’s restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, back in the 1920s. It was a huge hit with the local college students and quickly gained popularity across the Midwest.
It’s full of ground beef, Italian sausage, and a savory tomato sauce with tender pasta. And let’s not forget about all that gooey, melted cheese on top!
It’s a true American classic!
Why You’ll Love This Johnny Marzetti Casserole
Rich History: This dish, originating from Marzetti’s restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, has been a Midwestern favorite for over a century.
Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for potlucks and family gatherings, this casserole easily feeds a large group, making it a go-to for any occasion.
Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare this dish in advance and let the flavors meld in the fridge, offering practicality for busy hosts.
Budget-Friendly: With affordable ingredients like ground beef, pasta, and canned tomatoes, this recipe offers a satisfying meal without breaking the bank.
Ingredients
- Penne Pasta: The hearty Italian pasta shape holds onto the rich flavors of the casserole.
- Ground Beef: It provides a robust base for the dish, adding depth and texture.
- Mild Italian Sausage: It adds a subtle Italian flair with its mild spices and tender texture.
- Onion and Garlic: The classic duo adds a punch of flavor and aroma to the casserole.
- Green Bell Pepper: It adds a crisp freshness and a pop of color to the dish.
- Seasonings: A blend of Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Tomato Sauce: It ties all the flavors together.
- Diced Tomatoes: They add a burst of juicy freshness and texture to the casserole.
- Mozzarella and Sharp Cheddar Cheese: They melt beautifully and add a rich, velvety texture to the dish.
How to Make Johnny Marzetti Casserole
You’ll love how easy this casserole is to make!
1. Prepare the oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cook the pasta. In a large pot of salted water, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Brown the meat. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Once the meat is no longer pink, add the onion, garlic, and green bell pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the seasonings. Stir in the Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Pour in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
5. Layer the ingredients. In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked penne pasta. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Pour half of the meat sauce over the cheese, and repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and the rest of the meat sauce.
6. Do the initial bake. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
7. Add more cheese. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. Return the dish to the oven and bake, uncovered, for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Cool and serve. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious and flavorful Johnny Marzetti Casserole!
Tips for the Best Johnny Marzetti Casserole
Follow these tips to make your casserole even more delicious.
- Make it nice and bubbly. For an extra bubbly and browned cheesy top, broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- Pick the right pasta. Use a short, sturdy pasta like elbow macaroni, penne, or rotini that can hold up to the hearty sauce.
- Make it your own. Customize the casserole by adding mushrooms or using different pasta shapes like rotini. You can also swap the meat for ground turkey or use your favorite blend of cheeses.
- Make it a meal. Pair Johnny Marzetti with a simple side salad and some crusty bread or garlic bread to round out the meal.
How to Store
Keep leftover casserole fresh with these simple tips.
To Store: Place cooled leftovers in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Ensure the casserole has cooled completely before storing to prevent condensation.
To Freeze: Wrap the cooled casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To Reheat: Microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For larger amounts, cover with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
More Hearty Casseroles You’re Family Will Love
Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Turkey Noodle Casserole
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Ham and Noodle Casserole
Johnny Marzetti Casserole
8
servings15
minutes45
minutes595
Once you try Johnny Marzetti casserole, you’ll wonder how you lived with out it! The combo of beef, pasta, Italian sausage, and melty cheese is so over-the-top.
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
1 1/4 pounds ground beef
3/4 pound mild Italian sausage
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 cans tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large pot of salted water, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Once the meat is no longer pink, add the onion, garlic, and green bell pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Pour in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked penne pasta. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Pour half of the meat sauce over the cheese, and repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and the rest of the meat sauce.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. Return the dish to the oven and bake, uncovered, for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious and flavorful Johnny Marzetti Casserole!
I’ve really been loving the recipes you have been sending .Thank You!
I omitted the bell pepper. And used a can of pasta sauce instead of the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Used vegan crumbles instead of beef. And vegetarian Italian sausage. It turned out fantastic. Will make this one regularly in the comfort food months!
Sounds yummy!