This Johnny Marzetti recipe is a big dish of comfort. It’s hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavor, making it the ultimate traditional Ohio comfort food that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.
Table of Contents
If you think you’ve had Johnny Marzetti before, think again. This recipe takes it up a notch by adding in ½ pound of sausage, along with the ground beef, for an extra flavor punch. It’s a little twist that makes a big difference.
Love casserole dishes? Then you’ll definitely want to try my broccoli cauliflower casserole, chicken and dressing casserole, and corn and noodle casserole. They’re all packed with flavor and are so easy to make!
This recipe is handwritten by my grandma on a torn piece of paper. I can only imagine her writing it quickly after enjoying this hearty meal with a friend. It makes me smile. She had a great friend named Betty and I’m betting that’s exactly who this recipe is from.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Classic Flavors: This Johnny Marzetti recipe sticks to the classic combination of beef, tomato, and cheese, resulting in a hearty, comforting dish that’s hard to resist.
- Family Favorite: It’s a recipe that has been passed down through generations and is a family favorite for many. There’s something so special about a dish that has stood the test of time.
- Hearty and Filling: This casserole is not only a delicious comfort food, but it’s also incredibly filling. It’s the kind of meal that leaves everyone satisfied.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Johnny Marzetti is a great option for meal prep. You can make a big batch and freeze the leftovers for later. It’s a time saver!
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Key Ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni: These will be the base of our Johnny Marzetti, soaking up all the delicious flavors of the other ingredients.
- Celery: It adds a nice crunch and a subtle, fresh flavor to the dish.
- Salt: This will help to bring out the natural flavors of the other ingredients, making the dish more savory.
- Onions: They will add a sweet and tangy flavor to the dish, and complement the other ingredients perfectly.
- Fresh Mushrooms: They will add a savory, earthy flavor and a meaty texture to the dish.
- Ground Beef and Sausage: These will be the stars of the dish, adding a rich, meaty flavor that will make the Johnny Marzetti extra satisfying.
- Tomato Juice: It will form the base of the sauce, giving the dish a rich, tomato flavor.
- Ground Pepper: This will add a bit of heat and a lot of flavor to the dish.
- Chili Powder: It will add a smoky, spicy flavor to the dish, making it more complex.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: It will be sprinkled on top of the Johnny Marzetti before baking, adding a gooey, cheesy topping that will be absolutely delicious.
Equipment
- 13×9-inch baking dish – You’ll need this to layer your Johnny Marzetti casserole and bake it in the oven. It’s the perfect size for this recipe.
- Stockpot – This is essential for boiling the macaroni and celery and for combining all the ingredients before transferring them to the baking dish.
- Skillet – You’ll use this to brown the ground beef and sausage, as well as to sauté the onions and mushrooms.
How to Make Johnny Marzetti
Preparation
Start by preheating your oven to 350˚ F. This will make sure that it’s at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake your Johnny Marzetti.
Step 1 – Cook the Pasta and Prepare the Meat
In a large stockpot, boil the elbow macaroni and celery with 1 teaspoon of salt. Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook the ground beef and sausage. Drain the fat. Once cooked, set them aside. In the same skillet, sauté the mushrooms and onions.
Step 2 – Combine the Ingredients
In a large stockpot, mix the cooked ground beef and sausage, sauté onions, mushrooms, tomato juice, and seasonings. Let this mixture simmer.
Step 3 – Assemble the Johnny Marzetti
In a baking dish, combine the cooked pasta and celery with the tomato juice mixture. Add 1 cup of cheese, mix it in, and then top it with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
Step 4 – Bake the Johnny Marzetti
Pop the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Once it’s done, let it cool for 10 minutes before serving. Your classic Johnny Marzetti is ready to be enjoyed!
Expert Tip
To make the best Johnny Marzetti, cook the macaroni only until al dente. It will continue to cook in the baking pan while in the oven. Cooking only to al dente assures the pasta does not get too soft.
Recipe Variations
- Peas: The original Johnny Marzetti recipe calls for a can of peas instead of mushrooms. Add the peas when simmering the tomato juice mixture for a pop of color and added sweetness to the dish.
- Spicy: If you like a bit of heat, try adding a diced jalapeno to the onion and mushroom mixture. You can also increase the amount of chili powder for a spicier flavor.
- Extra Cheese: For all the cheese lovers out there, feel free to add more mozzarella on top. This will give your Johnny Marzetti a deliciously cheesy, golden-brown crust.
- Vegetarian: Simply omit the ground beef and sausage for a vegetarian version of this classic recipe. You can add extra mushrooms or even some diced bell peppers for a meaty texture.
What to Serve With
- For a hearty, comforting meal, serve your Johnny Marzetti with a side of fresh baked rolls. The soft, warm rolls are perfect for soaking up the delicious tomato and cheese sauce.
- If you’re looking for a lighter option, pair it with a side salad. The crisp, fresh vegetables in the salad are a great contrast to the rich, savory flavors of the Johnny Marzetti.
- You can also serve it with garlic bread. The garlic bread goes well with the flavors of the dish and is perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce on your plate.
Recipe FAQs
Johnny Marzetti, or simply marzetti, is an Midwestern recipe prepared using noodles, cheese, ground beef or Italian sausage, and a tomato sauce. It’s the ultimate Ohio recipe.
This classic pasta casserole is named after its creator’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marzetti. The dish was created by Teresa Marzetti in Columbus, Ohio.
You can make this entire recipe ahead of time. Before baking, cover in plastic wrap and keep refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed. You can also freeze the dish by making it, then freezing it covered. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as directed.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: After enjoying your delicious Johnny Marzetti, store any leftovers in an airtight container. They can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: If you’d like to freeze this casserole, I recommend doing so before baking it. Prepare the casserole as directed, but instead of baking, cover it with a double layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy the Johnny Marzetti, simply let it thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
- Heating: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature while the oven preheats. Once the oven is ready, bake the Johnny Marzetti for 45-50 minutes, or until it’s heated all the way through.
More Casserole Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This Johnny Marzetti recipe yields a hearty dish that’s enough for 8 servings.
- How to Scale: If you’re planning to serve more than 8, you can easily double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. Just make sure to use a larger pot to cook the ground beef and sausage, and a bigger baking dish to fit the increased quantity.
Johnny Marzetti
Ingredients
- 2 Cups elbow macaroni noodles uncooked
- 1 Cup celery chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt divided
- 1 Cup onions diced
- 1 Cup fresh mushrooms chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ lb sausage
- 4 Cups (1 quart) tomato juice
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 Cups mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚ F. In a large stockpot bring water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni, celery, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Let boil until the elbow macaroni reaches al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown and cook the hamburger and sausage until fully cooked. Drain the grease from the skillet but do not clean the pan. Set the hamburger and sausage aside.
- In the same skillet, add the mushrooms and onion and saute until onions are translucent.
- Combine the cooked hamburger and sausage, onions, mushrooms, tomato juice, chili powder, ground pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large stockpot. Bring to a simmer.
- Pour the cooked pasta and celery into a greased 13×9 baking dish. Pour over the tomato juice mixture. Stir together in the baking pan. Add 1 cup of cheese, and mix in—top with remaining 1 cup of cheese.
- Bake in a 350˚ F oven for 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
