Comfort food at its finest, Johnny Marzetti Casserole is a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that combines tender elbow macaroni, a robust blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, and a rich, savory tomato sauce seasoned with oregano, basil, and garlic. Layered with melty cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, this classic baked pasta casserole delivers a perfect balance of flavors in every bite. Ideal for family dinners or potlucks, it’s quick to prepare with just 20 minutes of prep time and offers the ultimate in coziness with its golden, bubbly cheese topping. Serve it warm alongside a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a meal that’s as comforting as it is satisfying. This easy casserole recipe is a timeless favorite that will have everyone coming back for seconds! Keywords: Johnny Marzetti casserole, baked pasta, comfort food recipe, ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking up the meat with a spatula as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well, reduce the heat, and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, meat sauce, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir until evenly combined.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses on top of the casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Serving size | 2672 grams (2672.0g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 5200 |
Total Fat 283.60g | 364% |
Saturated Fat 131.90g | 660% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 12.60g | |
Cholesterol 885mg | 295% |
Sodium 7561mg | 329% |
Total Carbohydrate 373.40g | 136% |
Dietary Fiber 33.50g | 120% |
Total Sugars 70.20g | |
Protein 295.90g | 592% |
Vitamin D 91IU | 454% |
Calcium 3562mg | 274% |
Iron 34mg | 188% |
Potassium 5550mg | 118% |
Source of Calories