Easy Johnny Marzetti Recipe

A close-up of a serving of cheesy baked Johnny Marzetti recipe with ground meat and tomato sauce being lifted from a casserole dish.

This Johnny Marzetti recipe is an ultimate comfort food casserole. A cheesy, meaty pasta bake that’s easy to make, freezer-friendly, and perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 35

Total Time 55

Servings servings

Calories 654kcal

Author Sherri Hagymas

Ingredients

8 ounces rotini pasta cooked to al dente per package directions
1 pound Italian sausage mild or hot
1 pound ground beef 90% or higher
8 ounces white mushrooms diced
¾ cup onion chopped
¼ cup celery chopped
4 cloves garlic minced
24 ounces marinara sauce
2 cups Italian cheese blend or mozzarella shredded
14.4 ounces diced tomatoes 1 can
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 cups cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350° F and spray a 11x7, 9x9 or 9x 13 baking dish with non stick cooking spray or a little olive oil.
Cook the pasta per the package directions for al dente or for 1 minute less than the package states. The pasta will cook more in the oven.
8 ounces rotini pasta
After the pasta has cooked, drain it into a colander in the sink. Then place it in a large mixing bowl. Add half of the marinara sauce and toss to coat.
Then pour the pasta and sauce mixture into the baking dish and top with the shredded Italian cheese.
24 ounces marinara sauce, 2 cups Italian cheese blend or mozzarella
Add the the beef and sausage to a large skillet and brown over medium high heat until no longer pink breaking it into pieces with a spatula or wooden spoon as it cooks.
1 pound Italian sausage, 1 pound ground beef
Add the diced onion, mushrooms, celery and garlic and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.
¾ cup onion, 8 ounces white mushrooms, ¼ cup celery, 4 cloves garlic
Pour the remaining marinara sauce, the can of diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes and simmer for and addition 3-4 minutes.
14.4 ounces diced tomatoes, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Pour the meat sauce over the cheese layer in the baking dish and top with cheddar cheese.
2 cups cheddar cheese
Bake for 35-45 minutes and until the cheese has melted.
Serve with your favorite bread like theses garlic breadsticks and a simple salad.

Notes

Use a different kind of pasta like elbow noodles, shells, penne, egg noodles,

Use all beef or all sausage.

Swap the marinara for just plain tomato sauce

Use all Italian blend or all mozzarella cheese.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

You can freeze this casserole before it is baked for up to 3 months. cover it with plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil for extra protection. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake according to the directions.

Reheat in the oven on a low setting until heated through or single serving in the microwave on a microwave safe plate for 30 seconds then stir and heat for another 30 seconds or until heated through.

Nutrition