A Better Marzetti
Elevate your family dinner game with "A Better Marzetti," a heartwarming casserole loaded with layers of tender egg noodles, savory ground beef, and a medley of sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions. Tossed in a rich, flavorful tomato-based sauce infused with Italian seasoning, this comfort food classic is crowned with ooey-gooey layers of cheddar and mozzarella cheese, baked to golden perfection. Ready in just an hour, this easy-to-make casserole is a perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights or a crowd-pleasing dish for potlucks. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve warm for a truly satisfying dining experience. Keywords: better marzetti, baked casserole recipe, ground beef pasta bake, cheesy comfort food, easy dinner ideas.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 12 ounces egg noodles
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic, diced green bell pepper, and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for another 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the ground beef to the empty space. Cook the beef, breaking it up with a spoon, for 6-8 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
Stir the vegetables and beef together. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Mix well and let the sauce simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked egg noodles with the meat sauce. Mix until the noodles are fully coated.
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a little olive oil or cooking spray. Spread half of the noodle mixture evenly in the dish.
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the layer.
Add the remaining noodle mixture on top and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top layer.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
773 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 42.5 g | 55% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.2 g | 101% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 148 mg | 49% | |
| Sodium | 1054 mg | 46% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 56.1 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.3 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.5 g | ||
| Protein | 41.6 g | 83% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 611 mg | 47% | |
| Iron | 4.4 mg | 24% | |
| Potassium | 753 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
