Johnny Marzetti Casserole
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
482 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Johnny Marzetti Casserole
Description
Johnny Marzetti Casserole features a mix of rotini pasta cooked al dente and a savory meat sauce made from ground beef and mild Italian sausage. The meat is browned and combined with sautéed onions, mushrooms, garlic, and classic Italian seasoning to create a flavorful base. Canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, slightly sweetened with white sugar, add depth to the sauce. The casserole is assembled by layering the meat sauce, pasta, and a generous amount of Italian cheese blend and shredded sharp cheddar.
Baked in the oven, the dish develops a melded texture with melted cheeses and a tender pasta that has absorbed the sauce flavors. The layering method ensures distinct but harmonious textures, with a slightly saucy consistency. This casserole makes a substantial meal suitable for dinner or gathering, providing a balanced comfort food experience.
It pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness. This recipe benefits from cooking the pasta slightly firm since it finishes cooking in the oven, preventing it from becoming mushy.
For convenience, it can be prepared in a slow cooker with adjusted timing, ensuring the ground beef is cooked before adding ingredients. The use of an Italian cheese blend mimics traditional flavors and textures typical in baked Italian-American casseroles.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rotini dry
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage ground, mild
- 3/4 cup onion diced
- 1/2 pound white mushrooms washed and chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- one ounce can diced tomatoes
- one ounce can tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon white sugar
- 2 cups Italian cheese blend shredded
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded sharp
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F. Grease or spray a 9x13 casserole dish.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions to a firm al dente. Remember, you are cooking it further in the oven; you don't want mush. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside.
- Fry the ground beef and Italian sausage in a large skillet until browned. Then drain out the grease, reserving a tablespoon or so in the pan, and place the cooked ground meat in a bowl.
- Mix the onion and mushrooms into the skillet grease and cook until soft. Add in the garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and white sugar. Simmer briefly, then stir in the ground meat. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Spread a little bit of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared dish, then top with the pasta.
- Sprinkle the Italian blend cheese over the pasta, then pour the remaining sauce over top.
- Cover and cook in the oven for 45 minutes or until the casserole is bubbling. When ready, uncover, sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top, and cook again until the cheese is melted and bubbling on top.
- Remove from the oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes to set, then spoon onto plates to serve.
Slow Cooker
- Grease or spray the inside of the slow cooker.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions to a firm al dente. Remember, you are cooking it even further in the oven or crockpot, you don't want mush.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions to a firm al dente. Remember, you are cooking it even further in the oven; you don't want mush. Drain, rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside.
- Fry the ground beef and Italian sausage in a large skillet until browned. Then drain out the grease, reserving a tablespoon or so in the pan, and place the cooked ground meat in a bowl.
- Mix the onion and mushrooms into the skillet grease and cook until soft. Add in the garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Simmer briefly, then stir in the ground meat. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Spread a little bit of the meat sauce on the bottom of the dish, then top with the pasta.
- Cover and cook in the slow cooker on low for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, or the casserole is heated through completely. When ready, uncover, sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top and then cover again until melted.
- Use a spoon to serve portions on plates and enjoy.
Notes
- For slow cooker preparation, reduce cooking time to about 1.5 hours on low if your slow cooker runs hot.
- Cook ground beef fully before slow cooking to ensure proper texture and safety.
- Italian cheese blend typically includes mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, and provolone cheeses for balanced flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 482 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 482kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 15g | 5% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Cholesterol | 106mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 556mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 420mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 410IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 2.6mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 328mg | 33% |
| Iron | 2.3mg | 13% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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