Johnny Marzetti is a delicious recipe that has been around for many years. Easy to make and always a crowd pleaser, this baked casserole is the perfect meal to enjoy with the whole family.
One of my favorite foods growing up was baked Johnny Marzetti - a.k.a. American Goulash. If you've never had baked Johnny Marzetti, it tastes very similar to a lasagna, only not as gooey or cheesy. Also, everything is in layers instead of mixed.
What is Johnny Marzetti?
Baked Johnny Marzetti is a tasty pasta dish made in many kitchens across the Midwest. The recipe originated through the Marzetti family of Columbus, Ohio consisting of layers of ground beef, cheese, pasta and tomato sauce.
The great thing about it is that you can modify it to your own liking by adding your own twist or substitution - for example, instead of hamburger you can use ground turkey or ground chicken. How long does it take to cook? Approximately one hour - but typically less time because you have to assemble the various components first before baking them.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Can use ground turkey, ground pork or ground chicken in place of ground beef.
- If you don’t have elbow macaroni on hand you can swap out for egg noodles.
- Don’t overcook the noodles. Cook pasta al dente to avoid not being soft enough from baking.
- Want it more cheesy? Add more cheese than the amount listed in ingredients.
Johnny Marzetti Ingredients
2 lbs ground beef
2 medium onions, chopped
1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) tomato sauce
1 fresh tomato, diced
1 teaspoon onion salt
2 teaspoons celery salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
How to Make Johnny Marzetti
Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat and saute onions. Add ground beef and cook until meat is it is no longer pink. Drain grease.
Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and seasonings to pan and cook over medium heat.
In a large pot, cook noodles per al dente package directions and drain.
Place a layer of tomato meat sauce on the bottom of a 13X9 baking dish. Then add a layer of noodles, then cheese. Repeat until it is built up to the top of the baking dish making sure the last 2 layers are meat sauce topped with cheese.
Bake uncovered for 50 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately with breadsticks or a salad.
Storing & Reheating
- To Store: Allow to cool and place leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat: Place on a microwave safe plate and heat in microwave until desired temperature.
More Delicious Casserole Recipes
- Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Frito Taco Casserole
- Loaded Hash Brown Casserole
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
Recipe
Johnny Marzetti Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 2 medium onions chopped
- 1 16 ounce package elbow macaroni
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 15 ounce tomato sauce
- 1 fresh tomato diced
- 1 teaspoon onion salt
- 2 teaspoons celery salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
- In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat and saute onions. Add ground beef and cook until meat is it is no longer pink. Drain grease. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and seasonings to pan and cook over medium heat.
- In a large pot, cook noodles per al dente package directions and drain.
- Place a layer of tomato meat sauce on the bottom of a 13X9 baking dish. Then add a layer of noodles, then cheese. Repeat until it is built up to the top of the baking dish making sure the last 2 layers are meat sauce topped with cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 50 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately with breadsticks or a salad.
Notes
Recipe Tips & Variations
Can use ground turkey, ground pork or ground chicken in place of ground beef. If you don't have elbow macaroni on hand you can swap out for egg noodles. Don't overcook the noodles. Make sure they are cooked al dente to avoid not being soft enough from baking. Want it more cheesy? Add more cheese than the amount listed in ingredients.Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Julie Jackson says
I used chopped pepper & mushrooms with onion. I added 2 cans of chopped tomatoes & 2 Tbs of beef consume rather than tomato sauce as I didn’t want it too tomato-y. I layered Parmesan, 4 cheese & Monterey Jack cheese. It only needed baking 30”. I also like egg noodles rather than elbow macaroni. So good!!❤️
Janet Daniels says
Can you freeze ahead?
Alison says
Pasta does not freeze well but you could make the meat sauce ahead of time and freeze once cool. Defrost in fridge the night before you make. When you’re ready to bake, heat up the defrosted meat sauce, cook the noodles and follow the recipe.