Pioneer Woman Johnny Marzetti Recipe
Johnny Marzetti is a warm and comforting pasta casserole. Many families love this classic dish. The Pioneer Woman Johnny Marzetti Recipe is rich, cheesy and very filling.
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can 15 oz tomato sauce
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms optional
- ½ cup diced green bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring the water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until just tender. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Prepare the Meat Mixture
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for three minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one more minute.
Brown the Ground Beef
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon. Cook until the meat turns brown and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if needed.
Add Vegetables and Seasoning
- Add diced bell pepper and mushrooms to the skillet. Stir well and cook for three minutes. Add salt, pepper, paprika and Italian seasoning. Mix everything well.
Pour in Tomato Sauce
- Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes to the skillet. Stir the mixture until everything is well combined. Let the sauce simmer gently for five minutes.
Combine Pasta and Sauce
- Add the cooked macaroni into the meat sauce. Stir carefully so the pasta gets coated with the rich tomato mixture.
Prepare the Baking Dish
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Add the Pasta Mixture
- Pour the pasta and meat mixture into the baking dish. Spread it evenly using a spoon so it bakes evenly.
Add the Cheese Topping
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the casserole. This cheese layer will melt and form a golden top.
Bake the Casserole
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for about 20 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly and slightly golden.
Garnish and Serve
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for five minutes. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Serve warm and enjoy your homemade dish.
Notes
- Cook the pasta just until tender to avoid mushy texture.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting.
- Add mushrooms for extra flavor and texture.
- Let the casserole rest before serving. This helps it hold shape.
- You can replace ground beef with ground turkey if desired.
- Add red pepper flakes for a little spice.