Vintage Johnny Marzetti Recipe
Johnny Marzetti is a macaroni, tomato sauce, hamburger and cheese casserole served at school cafeteria’s all over Ohio. Remember that showing up on the lunch menu? Now you can make it at home!
This hot and filling dish is easy to make, with only a few ingredients and a couple steps to prepare, you’ll love this recipe for weeknight suppers.
We always got excited to see this dish on the lunch menu at school. When I pulled this recipe out to share with my husband, he had no idea what I was talking about.
Schools in Ohio serve Johnny Marzetti on a regular basis. Pennsylvania schools, not so much. I had to describe the dish to my husband in detail before he agreed it sounded good.
I did a little research, and it turns out there’s good reason Pennsylvania isn’t familiar with Johnny Marzetti. It’s the brainstorm recipe created at a restaurant in Columbus, Ohio by the Marzetti family and named for a son in law.
Variations:
As with any good pasta dish, you can really dress this recipe up. Add olives, pepperoni, ham, sausage, peppers or mushrooms. You could also substitute Alfredo sauce, but that’s probably a Marzetti by another name.
Leave out the ground beef and add some of those vegetables above, you’ll have a Meatless Monday dish that the family will love.
Make It a Meal:
My elementary school always served Johnny Marzetti with a tossed salad (vinegar and oil dressing over iceberg lettuce) and bread with butter. We probably had cookies or an ice cream cup for dessert.
Those classic sides are still good with Johnny Marzetti today. Add some fancier bread: Garlic Bites, Pepperoni Rolls and a cheesecake for dessert.
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How to Store Johnny Marzetti:
Refrigerator: cover baking dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate. Johnny Marzetti will keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Freezer: once dish is cooled completely, wrap plastic wrap and freeze. You can store this dish in the freezer for up to a month.
Johnny Marzetti Recipe
Ingredients:
Macaroni, tomato pasta sauce, ground beef, onion, cheese.
Recipe Directions:
Cook and drain macaroni. Brown ground beef and onion. Mix sauce into hamburger and onion mixture. Toss with macaroni. Top with cheese, bake.
Vintage Johnny Marzetti Recipe
A classic recipe for macaroni casserole that is inexpensive, filling and full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces dried Macaroni Pasta
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 large Onion
- 16 ounces Tomato Pasta Sauce
- 2 cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 tsp Oregano
- 2 tsp Chive
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Using large sauce pan, boil water and cook macaroni according to package directions.
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Dice onion.
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Place skillet on medium heat and brown ground beef and cook onions.
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Drain cooked macaroni and set aside.
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Drain grease from ground beef.
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Add pasta sauce to ground beef.
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Toss macaroni with pasta sauce, beef, and onion mixture.
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Spread macaroni mixture in 9×13 casserole dish.
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Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over macaroni mixture.
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Mix spices in small bowl or measuring cup. Sprinkle over cheese.
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Bake macaroni for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Approximate Nutritional Information:
Servings Per Recipe: 16, Amount Per Serving: Calories: 118, Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 28g, Sodium: 157mg, Carbs: 10g, Protein: 11g
(please remember these are approximate and will vary slightly based on your ingredient selections.)
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I hadn’t heard of this dish either as not served in our schools here in CA. Looks like all the kids would love it for sure though.
My mother in law was from Maryland … she called it “Goulash”. I think it’s a dish that goes by many names!
Kids do love it!
I just found this article regarding the Johnny Marzetti authentic recipe. There was a mention of Ohio schools would make this, yet Pennsylvania schools or people residing there didn’t know of this recipe and the person. I am originally from Erie, PA, and the high school that I attended always had Johnny Marzetti for lunch every week. I didn’t know the history but I did know of the dish. Now I found the recipe and I definitely will make this. It sounds so good and comforting. Especially when the weather gets cold and dreary.
Thanks.
Hi Merrilee!
Which high school in Erie did you attend? My husband’s family is from Erie, too.
I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Noel
I have never heard of this dish before. Thank you for teaching me something new!
You’re welcome, Jenna. Try this recipe out, it’s easy! Pop back and let me know what the family thinks!
Never heard of Johnny Marzetti before but this dish looks like a good one to move into the rotation for my family. I will let you know how they like it. Thanks!
Loretta, I’ll bet your family loves it as much as mine does!
I’ve never heard that name but have certainly seen something much the same before – definitely one I can see kids enjoying.
Caroline, I think the name is regional. The dish itself, universal!
A friend of mine who grew up in the Canal Zone, made this dish for parties and she gave me her recipe, which included green olives. Always loved it.
Green Olive would be a great addition!
A friend of mine who grew up in the Canal Zone, made this dish for parties and she gave me her recipe, which included green olives. Always loved it.
The best recipes are the ones people share with us, aren’t they?
This would be super popular with our grandsons – it’s agot all their fave ingredients! I’ll give Johnny Marzetti a try!
Michele, pop back and let me know what the verdict is!
What a delicious looking recipe! A restaurant worthy dish, indeed! Looking forward to making this for dinner tomorrow!
Funny you say that about a restaurant. After I shared this post on my social media, one of the family restaurants in town started offering it on a weekly basis. They sell out every time!
This dish is awesome and definitely my family all time favorite. Awesome and delicious. Feast for sure.
So cool to hear that! It’s a world wide favorite!
I loved it in school in Columbus, Ohio..It was the only time I bought lunch at school. Just made it and very delicious.
Vicki,
I’m glad this recipe lived up to your memories!
A friend of mine who grew up in the Canal Zone, made this dish for parties and she gave me her recipe, which included green olives. Always loved it.
Thanks for stopping by Constance (that’s my mother’s name too!) I appreciate hearing from my readers.
My Mother grew up in Columbus, Ohio and now I know where the name came from. I would not doubt HER parents knew the Marzetti family. While I never really cared for it, (mom never put cheese in it,and used canned tomatoes); it does bring back wonderful memories! I always wondered why it was called that!
I just may try it with cheese-maybe.
Thanks!
Marianne,
So glad to hear from someone who is probably connected to the recipe. Columbus is truly a small town / big city – if that makes sense … it seems like everybody knows everybody, any way.
Neat to learn the history of dishes we make isn’t it?
Noel