Comfort food at its finest, Johnny Marzetti Casserole is a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that combines tender elbow macaroni, a robust blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, and a rich, savory tomato sauce seasoned with oregano, basil, and garlic. Layered with melty cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, this classic baked pasta casserole delivers a perfect balance of flavors in every bite. Ideal for family dinners or potlucks, itβs quick to prepare with just 20 minutes of prep time and offers the ultimate in coziness with its golden, bubbly cheese topping. Serve it warm alongside a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a meal thatβs as comforting as it is satisfying. This easy casserole recipe is a timeless favorite that will have everyone coming back for seconds! Keywords: Johnny Marzetti casserole, baked pasta, comfort food recipe, ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole.
Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper. SautΓ© for 4β5 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1β2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking up the meat with a spatula as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well, reduce the heat, and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, meat sauce, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir until evenly combined.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses on top of the casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25β30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Calories |
5200 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 283.6 g | 364% | |
| Saturated Fat | 131.9 g | 660% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 12.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 885 mg | 295% | |
| Sodium | 7561 mg | 329% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 373.4 g | 136% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 33.5 g | 120% | |
| Total Sugars | 70.2 g | ||
| Protein | 295.9 g | 592% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.3 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 3562 mg | 274% | |
| Iron | 33.9 mg | 188% | |
| Potassium | 5550 mg | 118% | |
*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.