Description
Johnny Marzetti Casserole: 5 Delicious Variations to Try — perfect for family dinners and meal prep. Makes one 9×13-inch baking dish serving 8 in 55 minutes with 13 simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground Italian sausage
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1½ cups shredded Italian blend cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain well.
- Meanwhile, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. About halfway through the browning process, add the mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers. Cook until the meat and mushrooms are browned, and the onion is soft.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the garlic, thyme, and marjoram, cooking for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
- Combine the meat mixture with the pasta in the prepared baking dish. Top with the cheddar and Italian cheese blend.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese melts and the casserole warms.
Notes
- Fridge Storage: Transfer leftover casserole to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Refrigerated leftovers stay fresh for up to 4 days at 40°F or below. According to FDA food safety guidelines, perishable cooked dishes should reach the fridge within 2 hours of serving to prevent bacterial growth.
- Freezer Storage: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe zip bags with the air pressed out. Frozen portions maintain quality for up to 3 months at 0°F. Write the date on each bag and thaw overnight in the refrigerator for 8–12 hours before reheating.
- Oven Reheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 5 minutes to re-crisp the cheese topping. Adding a tablespoon of water before covering prevents the pasta from drying out during reheating.
- Microwave Reheat: Place a single serving on a microwave-safe plate and add a teaspoon of water. Cover loosely with a damp paper towel and heat on medium power for 2 minutes. Stir halfway through, then check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let it rest for 1 minute before eating.
- Air Fryer Reheat: Preheat the air fryer to 325°F. Place a single portion in an oven-safe ramekin or small dish and cook for 6 minutes. The circulating hot air re-crisps the cheddar topping beautifully without drying out the interior. Check after 4 minutes and adjust based on portion size.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 servings
- Calories: 412 calories
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 687mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 72mg