Mohamed Shili Pioneer Woman Johnny Marzetti is made using mushrooms, olive oil, onion, garlic, bell pepper, lean ground beef, whole plum tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, freshly ground black pepper, elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese. This hearty Johnny Marzetti recipe is a classic dinner casserole that takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 8 people.
Pioneer Woman Johnny Marzetti Ingredients
- 12 ounces Mushrooms, cleaned and chopped or sliced
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil or neutral cooking oil
- 1 large Onion, chopped
- 5 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Bell Pepper (any color), seeded, cored, finely chopped
- Salt, to taste
- 1 1/2 pounds Lean Ground Beef (90:10 is good)
- 1 can (28-ounce) Whole Plum Tomatoes in juice
- 3 tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 3/4 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
- 12 ounces (2 3/4 cups) Uncooked Elbow Macaroni
- 8 ounces Grated Cheddar Cheese (2 generous cups), divided
- 4 ounces Grated Parmesan Cheese (1 1/2 cups), divided
How To Make Pioneer Woman Johnny Marzetti
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- Cook mushrooms: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the mushrooms until they are soft and browned, which takes about 5-8 minutes. Transfer the mushrooms to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, heat the olive oil and then add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook until the onion becomes translucent, about 6 minutes.
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until the beef is thoroughly browned and crumbled, about 8 minutes. Ensure there is no pink meat left.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Crush the whole plum tomatoes directly into the skillet, including the juices. Stir in the tomato paste, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Reintroduce mushrooms: Add the cooked mushrooms back into the skillet and stir to combine. Simmer for an additional 2 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with salt to taste.
- Cook pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until it is just shy of al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain the pasta.
- Assemble the casserole: In the baking dish, mix the slightly undercooked pasta with the beef and vegetable sauce. Fold in half of the cheddar cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese. Spread the mixture evenly in the dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and Parmesan cheeses over the top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese has melted and turned a light golden brown.
- Rest before serving: Allow the casserole to rest for about 10 minutes after baking. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
Recipe Tips
- Enhance flavor with broiling: Finish baking your Johnny Marzetti by broiling for 2-3 minutes to add a golden, crispy cheese topping.
- Intensify the spices: For a deeper flavor, sauté your spices in oil for a minute before adding the beef, which releases their aromas.
- Deglaze with wine: After browning the beef, deglaze the skillet with a splash of red wine to lift the browned bits for extra savory taste.
- Swap cheeses for variety: Experiment with different cheeses like mozzarella or provolone for new flavors and textures in your casserole.
- Add vegetables for nutrition: Mix in spinach or zucchini during the last few minutes of simmering the sauce to incorporate more greens into your dish.
What To Serve With Johnny Marzetti
Serve your hearty Johnny Marzetti with roasted Brussels sprouts, a crisp arugula salad, steamed green beans, caramelized carrots, and garlic butter asparagus.
You can also pair it with sautéed mushrooms or a fresh beet salad for added freshness and a touch of earthiness.
How To Store Johnny Marzetti
To Refrigerate: Place leftover Johnny Marzetti in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Ensure it cools to room temperature before storing to prevent moisture build-up.
To Freeze: First, cool it to room temperature. Then, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How To Reheat Johnny Marzetti
In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Place the Johnny Marzetti in an oven-safe dish and cover it loosely with foil to prevent drying out. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. For a moisture result, add a splash of water before heating.
In The Microwave: Transfer Johnny Marzetti to a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stir, then continue heating for another 2-3 minutes or until hot. Let it sit for a minute before serving.
In The Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Place Johnny Marzetti in the fryer basket. Heat for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. This method works well for smaller portions and adds a slight crisp.
Pioneer Woman Johnny Marzetti Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 487 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sodium: 897mg
- Potassium: 670mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Johnny Marzetti ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare Johnny Marzetti up to a day ahead. Assemble the casserole without baking, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate. Before serving, bake it as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if it’s cold from the fridge.
What can I use instead of elbow macaroni?
You can replace elbow macaroni with other pasta shapes such as penne, rotini, or fusilli. These shapes hold sauce well and maintain a similar cooking time, making them perfect substitutes in this casserole.
How can I make Johnny Marzetti spicier?
Increase the heat in your Johnny Marzetti by adding more crushed red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. Adjust these additions gradually to reach your desired spice level.
Check out More Recipes From Pioneer Woman:
- Pioneer Woman Apricot Chicken Thighs
- Pioneer Woman Crockpot French Onion Soup
- Pioneer Woman Crash Potatoes
Pioneer Woman Johnny Marzetti
Description
Pioneer Woman Johnny Marzetti is made using mushrooms, olive oil, onion, garlic, bell pepper, lean ground beef, whole plum tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, freshly ground black pepper, elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese. This hearty Johnny Marzetti recipe is a classic dinner casserole that takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 8 people.
Pioneer Woman Johnny Marzetti Ingredients
How To Make Pioneer Woman Johnny Marzetti
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- Cook mushrooms: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the mushrooms until they are soft and browned, which takes about 5-8 minutes. Transfer the mushrooms to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, heat the olive oil and then add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook until the onion becomes translucent, about 6 minutes.
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until the beef is thoroughly browned and crumbled, about 8 minutes. Ensure there is no pink meat left.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Crush the whole plum tomatoes directly into the skillet, including the juices. Stir in the tomato paste, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Reintroduce mushrooms: Add the cooked mushrooms back into the skillet and stir to combine. Simmer for an additional 2 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with salt to taste.
- Cook pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until it is just shy of al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain the pasta.
- Assemble the casserole: In the baking dish, mix the slightly undercooked pasta with the beef and vegetable sauce. Fold in half of the cheddar cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese. Spread the mixture evenly in the dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and Parmesan cheeses over the top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese has melted and turned a light golden brown.
- Rest before serving: Allow the casserole to rest for about 10 minutes after baking. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
