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Johnny Marzetti Casserole

A hearty, meaty, and cheesy casserole that’s perfect for busy weeknights and feeds a crowd with minimal effort.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef Can be substituted with Italian sausage or ground turkey.
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni or other short pasta Cook less than al dente.
  • 1 can tomato sauce (15 ounces)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon sugar To balance acidity.
  • 1 to 2 cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella Cheddar is classic; mozzarella adds stretch.

Method
 

Cooking
  1. Cook pasta until just shy of al dente.
  2. Brown ground beef with onion, garlic, and bell pepper in a skillet.
  3. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, sugar, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Combine the meat sauce with the pasta.
  5. Top with shredded cheese.
  6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  7. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Make ahead and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Can be customized with different proteins and vegetables. Store leftovers for up to 4 days in a sealed container.