Johnny Marzetti
Experience comfort food at its finest with Johnny Marzetti, a classic and hearty baked pasta casserole that’s sure to please the whole family. This irresistible dish combines tender elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, and zesty Italian sausage, all coated in a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic, onions, and green bell peppers. Layered with a generous blend of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, this recipe bakes to golden, bubbly perfection in just under an hour. Perfect for weeknight dinners or potluck gatherings, Johnny Marzetti is an easy-to-make crowd-pleaser that delivers bold flavors and satisfying textures in every bite. Serve it straight out of the oven, garnished with fresh parsley for an extra touch of freshness.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni (or any short pasta)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, meat sauce, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Mix well to coat the pasta evenly.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
935 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 56.7 g | 73% | |
| Saturated Fat | 22.5 g | 113% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 149 mg | 50% | |
| Sodium | 1515 mg | 66% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 59.0 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.5 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.9 g | ||
| Protein | 48.2 g | 96% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 481 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 4.1 mg | 23% | |
| Potassium | 867 mg | 18% | |
*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.
