Dinner

Johnny Marzetti Casserole: 1 Must-Try Comfort

Name: Johnny Marzetti Casserole: 1 Must-Try Comfort
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 onion, chopped; 1 green bell pepper, chopped; 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce; 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed tomato soup; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 (16 ounce) package egg noodles; 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

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Okay, listen up! If you’re anything like me, some nights you just crave that warm, comforting hug in a bowl. You know, the kind of dinner that brings back childhood memories and makes everyone around the table happy? That’s exactly what my go-to Johnny Marzetti Casserole does! This isn’t some fancy, complicated dish; it’s pure, simple deliciousness that comes together way faster than you’d think. I’ve been making this recipe for years, ever since I snagged the basic idea from an old community cookbook and tweaked it into *my* perfect version. It’s been a lifesaver on busy weeknights and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for casual get-togethers. Trust me on this one – once you try my easy Johnny Marzetti Casserole, it’s going to become a regular in your rotation too!

Why You’ll Love This Johnny Marzetti Casserole

So, why is *this* Johnny Marzetti Casserole the one you absolutely need in your life? Well, let me tell you! It hits all the right notes for a perfect weeknight meal or a cozy weekend dinner.

It’s ridiculously easy! Honestly, if you can brown some meat and boil noodles, you can make this. No fancy techniques here.
Pure Comfort Food! Think warm, savory meat sauce, tender noodles, and gooey melted cheese. It’s like a hug from the inside out.
Pantry Friendly: You probably have most of the ingredients already! It uses simple, everyday staples.
Kid-Approved: This is a classic for a reason. Even picky eaters tend to devour this one.
Feeds a Crowd: This recipe makes a big batch, perfect for leftovers (which are amazing, by the way!) or feeding your favorite people.

Seriously, what’s not to love?

Gather Your Ingredients for Johnny Marzetti Casserole

Alright, let’s get this party started! The beautiful thing about Johnny Marzetti is that it uses super simple stuff you probably already have hiding in your pantry. Here’s your shopping list – grab these goodies, and you’re well on your way to casserole heaven:

1 pound ground beef (the good stuff!)
1 onion, chopped (no tears, promise!)
1 green bell pepper, chopped (adds a little color and freshness)
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce (the base of our delicious sauce)
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed tomato soup (trust me on this one, it adds something special!)
1 teaspoon dried oregano (smells like Italy!)
1/2 teaspoon dried basil (oregano’s best friend)
Salt and pepper to taste (season it up!)
1 (16 ounce) package egg noodles (the perfect vehicle for all that saucy goodness)
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (because cheese makes everything better, right?)

Step-by-Step: How to Make Johnny Marzetti Casserole

Okay, you’ve got your ingredients ready, your apron’s on (or maybe you just threw one over your comfy clothes, no judgment here!), and you’re ready to make some magic happen. This Johnny Marzetti Casserole comes together in a few simple stages. We’ll cook the meat and sauce, boil the noodles, mix everything up, and then let the oven do its thing. It’s truly straightforward, and the smells filling your kitchen while it bakes are just divine!

Just follow these steps, and you’ll be digging into a warm, cheesy plate of comfort in no time. Don’t overthink it – this recipe is pretty forgiving, which is one of the many reasons I love it so much!

Browning the Beef and Veggies for Your Johnny Marzetti Casserole

First things first, grab your biggest skillet – you’ll need the space! Get it nice and hot over medium heat and toss in that pound of ground beef. Brown it up, breaking it apart with a spoon as you go. Once it’s all cooked through and no longer pink, drain off any extra grease. Nobody wants a greasy casserole! Now, add your chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Sauté these until they soften up a bit, about 5 minutes. They’ll add great flavor and a little texture.

Simmering the Sauce for Johnny Marzetti Casserole

Now for the saucy goodness! Pour in your tomato sauce and condensed tomato soup. Give it a good stir to combine everything. Sprinkle in your dried oregano and basil – smell that? That’s the start of something delicious! Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer, then let it bubble away for about 15 minutes. This gives the flavors time to get to know each other and deepen beautifully. While that’s happening, get a big pot of water boiling for your noodles!

Combining and Baking the Johnny Marzetti Casserole

While your sauce is simmering, cook those egg noodles according to the package directions. Don’t overcook them; they’ll bake a little more in the oven. Drain the noodles well. Now, pour the cooked noodles right into the skillet with your meat sauce. Give everything a big stir to make sure those noodles are coated in all that yummy sauce. Pour this whole mixture into your greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle that glorious shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Pop it in your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just starting to turn golden. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving so it holds its shape a bit better.

Equipment Needed for Johnny Marzetti Casserole

You don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets for this Johnny Marzetti Casserole – that’s part of its charm! Just gather up a few basic kitchen essentials, and you’ll be good to go. You’ll definitely need a large skillet for browning the meat and making the sauce, a big pot for boiling those noodles, and of course, a trusty 9×13 inch baking dish to bring it all together in the oven. A colander for draining the noodles and a few mixing spoons are also super helpful. See? Simple!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Johnny Marzetti Casserole

Okay, so while this recipe for Johnny Marzetti Casserole is pretty perfect as is (if I do say so myself!), sometimes you gotta work with what you’ve got, right? Or maybe you just want to switch things up a little! Here are a few thoughts on the ingredients and how you can play around with them.

First, the ground beef. I usually use 80/20, but really, anything works! If you want to make it a bit lighter, ground turkey or even ground chicken is totally fine. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious. You could even use a ground meat substitute if you’re going vegetarian! As for the veggies, feel free to toss in some chopped mushrooms, corn, or even some diced zucchini when you’re sautéing the onion and pepper. Just make sure they cook down a bit. And cheese? While Cheddar is classic here, feel free to use Monterey Jack, a Colby-Jack blend, or even a little mozzarella for extra stretchiness. Just use what makes you happy!

Tips for a Perfect Johnny Marzetti Casserole

Making this Johnny Marzetti Casserole is pretty foolproof, but here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up over the years to make sure yours turns out absolutely amazing every single time. First, don’t skimp on draining that beef! Excess grease can make the casserole oily. Also, let that sauce simmer for the full 15 minutes – it really lets the flavors meld together. When you mix the noodles and sauce, be gentle so you don’t break up the noodles too much. And finally, let the finished casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before you serve it. This helps it set up a little so it’s easier to scoop out neat portions. Happy cooking!

Frequently Asked Questions About Johnny Marzetti Casserole

I get asked a few things about this Johnny Marzetti Casserole pretty often, so I thought I’d tackle them right here! Hopefully, this clears up any little questions you might have before you dive in.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?

A: Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole (meat sauce, noodles, and all, but maybe hold off on the cheese) and cover it tightly, then pop it in the fridge for up to a day. Add the cheese right before baking and you might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it’s starting cold.

Q: What kind of noodles are best?

A: Egg noodles are the classic choice for Johnny Marzetti, and they work perfectly here! They have a great texture and soak up the sauce wonderfully. Medium or wide egg noodles are both great options.

Q: Can I freeze leftovers?

A: Yes, definitely! This casserole freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then portion it into airtight containers or wrap the entire dish tightly. It should last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge and reheat gently.

Q: Why do you use tomato soup AND tomato sauce?

A: That’s a little secret for extra flavor and thickness! The condensed tomato soup adds a bit of sweetness and helps create a richer, more cohesive sauce texture than just using sauce alone. Trust me, it makes a difference!

Nutritional Information

Okay, I know some of you like to keep an eye on the numbers, and that’s totally fair! While I’m all about delicious comfort food, it’s good to have an idea of what you’re getting. Based on the ingredients and divided into 8 servings, a single serving of this Johnny Marzetti Casserole is roughly around 450 Calories. You’re looking at about 20g of Fat, 25g of Protein, and 40g of Carbs. Just remember, these are estimates, and things like the exact fat content of your ground beef or the brand of cheese can change things a bit!

Share Your Johnny Marzetti Casserole Creations

Alright, you’ve made it! Your kitchen should smell absolutely incredible right about now with that bubbling Johnny Marzetti Casserole. I really hope you love this recipe as much as I do. If you give it a try, please, PLEASE come back and leave a comment below! Let me know how it turned out, what you thought, or if you made any fun little tweaks. I absolutely love hearing from you all! And hey, if you snap a picture, tag me on social media – I’d love to see your delicious creations!