Johnny Marzetti Casserole

Johnny Marzetti Casserole Recipe – classic pasta casserole that will please the entire family! Ground beef, onions, tomato soup, tomato sauce, tomato paste, egg noodles, cheddar cheese and mozzarella. Can make ahead and refrigerate or freeze for later! A classic casserole that is perfect comfort food that can feed a crowd! Everyone cleans their plate! Such an easy weeknight meal!!

plate of cheesy ground beef pasta

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Easy Ground Beef & Egg Noodle Casserole

Have you ever had Johnny Marzetti Casserole? The casserole originated at the Italian restaurant Marzetti’s in Columbus, Ohio. It is named after the owner’s brother-in-law, Johnny. Proximity to the nearby Ohio State University helped the first restaurant succeed and spread Marzetti’s fame. This was our first time eating it and it won’t be the last! It was DELICIOUS! This dish is a cross between Amish Country Casserole and Baked Spaghetti. It is the best of both worlds. SO good!

baking dish of cheesy pasta

How to Make Johnny Marzetti Casserole

This casserole is very easy to make with pantry staples. Start with boiling some egg noodles. While the noodles are cooking, sauté lean ground beef over medium high heat in a large skillet. Drain fat. Stir in tomato soup, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for a few minutes. Add in the cooked pasta and transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle the casserole with cheese and bake until bubbling.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

  • You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage.
  • This is a very basic version of Johnny Marzetti. You can jazz it up with mushrooms, peppers, olives, oregano, and celery. Get creative and add the veggies that your family enjoys. This is a great base recipe to start with.
  • Feel free to use any cheese that you have on hand. If you like it, it will work!
  • I use egg noodles. You can use any pasta shape that you have on hand. Penne and elbow macaroni work great.
  • You can make the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight.
  • Can Johnny Marzetti Casserole be frozen? Yes! You can assemble the casserole and freeze it unbaked for a quick meal later.
    • To bake the casserole after freezing, thaw completely and bake as directed.
  • You can also freeze the baked casserole. Bake the casserole and cool completely. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place in the freezer. When ready to reheat, thaw completely and reheat covered in the oven at 350ºF until warm.
  • Can I make this casserole in the slow cooker? Yes! Cook the noodles and ground beef. Mix everything together except the cheese and place in the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 3 or 4 hours. Top with cheese, cover, and cook until melted.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
plate of cheesy ground beef pasta

What to Serve with Johnny Marzetti Casserole

This casserole is a staple for potlucks and tailgates! Anywhere you have a hungry crowd of people. All you need is a simple salad and some crusty bread and you have a quick and delicious weeknight meal that everyone will enjoy!

Looking for side dish ideas? Here are a few of our favorite recipes from the blog that go great with this easy casserole:

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plate of cheesy ground beef pasta

Johnny Marzetti Casserole

Yield: 8 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Johnny Marzetti Casserole Recipe – classic pasta casserole that will please the entire family! Ground beef, onions, tomato soup, tomato sauce, tomato paste, egg noodles, cheddar cheese and mozzarella. Can make ahead and refrigerate or freeze for later! A classic casserole that is perfect comfort food that can feed a crowd! Everyone cleans their plate! Such an easy weeknight meal!!

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Cook egg noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Brown ground beef in a large skillet. Drain fat. Stir in tomato soup, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, onion flakes, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Toss cooked noodles with meat sauce. Pour into prepared pan.
  • Top pasta with shredded cheese.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes, until bubbly.

Notes:

  • Do not make the tomato soup. Only use the contents in the can.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or pork sausage for the ground beef.
  • This is a very basic version of Johnny Marzetti. You can jazz it up with mushrooms, peppers, and celery.  Get creative and add the veggies that your family enjoys. This is a great base recipe to start with.
  • Feel free to use any cheese that you have on hand. If you like it, it will work!
  • You can make the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate overnight.
  • Can Johnny Marzetti Casserole be frozen? Yes! You can assemble the casserole and freeze it unbaked for a quick meal later.
    • To bake the casserole after freezing, thaw completely and bake as directed.
  • You can also freeze the baked casserole. Bake the casserole and cool completely. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place in the freezer. When ready to reheat, thaw completely and reheat covered in the oven at 350ºF until warm.

Steph

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plate of cheesy ground beef pasta
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baking dish of cheesy pasta

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Comments

  1. Absolutely excellent recipe but I did make 2 minor changes and I will tell you why .. I used only 1/2 small can of tomato paste the whole can was scary and I reduced the water from 1/2 cup to 1/4 and both worked perfect.

  2. This casserole reminds me of something similar my grandma made. The story I remember was that she got the recipe from the Colonel's wife back when my granddaddy was in the service. The recipe uses just tomato juice with hamburger and mushrooms. At the end of cooking you add old english cheese. It is what I request for my birthday every year.

  3. What memories! Whenever my mom was feeding a crowd you could be sure we were having Johnny mazetti casserole. No I didn't forget the "r"! That's what mom always called it☺ I still have the hand written recipe that she was given some 40 yrs ago. Awe,comfort food and memories. Doesn't get any better.

  4. I was thrilled to see this dish.That is what we are having today!!! As a little girl, my great aunt used to make this. I thought she was saying John Nesetti. As an adult I looked for the recipe online I was looking for John Nesetti! My aunt made her's stovetop. So thank you for posting the wonderful easy recipe.

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