pasta

When it comes to freezer cooking, pasta dishes are always a great choice. In addition to being simple to prepare and reheat, noodle dishes are also filling and popular with everyone in the family. But the next time you’re planning your meals and looking for a simple pasta recipe to add the rotation, skip the plain spaghetti and try something new! This easy Johnny Marzetti casserole recipe is the perfect simple dinner idea that is sure to satisfy everyone in the family.

What is Johnny Marzetti Casserole?

This delicious dish is an Ohio recipe that was originally created in a Columbus restaurant owned by Italian immigrant Teresa Marzetti. The baked pasta dish, which was made with ground beef, cheese, tomato sauce, and noodles, is named after her brother-in-law, Johnny. The Marzetti Restaurant opened in the city, near The Ohio State University, in 1919 and by the 1940s, the namesake dish was a popular dinner option across the Midwest. In addition to ordering the classic pasta dish at restaurants around Ohio, many Midwesterners started whipping up this simple dish at home for their families.

Is Johnny Marzetti the Same as Goulash?

This casserole recipe has similar ingredients as goulash, which is why many people wonder if the two recipes are the same. Although the original Johnny Marzetti casserole is sometimes called American goulash, it isn’t the same as the traditional Hungarian dish.

The recipe that originated in Hungary is typically made with elbow macaroni and seasoned with paprika and other spices. Another notable difference between the two dishes is how they’re cooked. While goulash is usually prepared in a big pan on the stovetop, Johnny Marzetti is a baked casserole that is typically cooked in the oven.

Can You Freeze Johnny Marzetti Casserole?

This quick and easy recipe is so simple to freeze and reheat. All you need to do is prepare the casserole according to the recipe instructions, cover it with aluminum foil, and freeze it until you’re ready to eat. Before you start cooking, make sure to thaw the casserole, then bake it until it’s cooked through and enjoy.

How to Make Johnny Marzetti Casserole:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dry penne pasta
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 lb. white mushrooms, sliced
• 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 15 oz. can tomato sauce 
• 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Assembly instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. It’s important not to overcook as the pasta will continue cooking through in the oven. Drain well and return to the pasta pot.
2. While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Add the onions, minced garlic, and chopped green pepper. 
3. Toss in the mushrooms and cook until the mushrooms begin to soften. 
4. Drain the beef mixture and return to the skillet.
5. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings. 
6. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
7. Pour the meat sauce over the pasta in the pasta pot and give it a stir.
8. Stir in half of the cheese.
9. Transfer to a greased 9×13 baking dish or aluminum foil tray. Cover tightly with 2 layers of aluminum foil. 
10. Put the rest of the cheese in a medium size freezer bag. Seal and set on top of the tray and place the tray and bag in the freezer.

Cooking instructions:

1. Thaw. Set the bag of cheese to the side.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°. 
3. Bake the casserole for 30 minutes if thawed or one hour if frozen. Remove the aluminum foil and top with the cheese from the bag. Continue baking for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Recipe Substitutions and Ideas

This delicious recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner. But that doesn’t mean you have to follow the recipe exactly! There are a few simple substitutions you can make to adjust your recipe to suit your tastes and dietary restrictions. Try making these recipe swaps to allow you to work with ingredients you already have on hand:

• Use different pasta. You can easily swap out the penne pasta for a different noodle variety. Elbow macaroni noodles, rotini pasta, or egg noodles are simple substitutions you can make that won’t affect the taste or cook time of the dish.
• Make it gluten free. Since this recipe uses pasta, you’ll need to make a substitution if you’re looking for a gluten free dinner idea. Use gluten free penne pasta (or any other gluten free noodle variety) instead of traditional pasta for a quick fix. Or try substituting rice for pasta for a different take on the recipe.
• Use ground turkey. Lighten up the dish by swapping the ground beef with ground turkey. You’ll be able to significantly reduce the fat content of your dish without sacrificing the flavour.
• Serve with a salad. Add some freshness to your freezer dinner by tossing together a quick salad while your casserole is cooking. A fresh salad is the perfect healthy side dish to go along with this hearty pasta dish.

Print

Freezer Friendly Johnny Marzetti Casserole

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: casserole, pasta

Ingredients

• 2 cups penne pasta dry
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
• 1 lb. white mushrooms sliced
• 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 15 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese grated

Instructions

Assembly instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Do not overcook. Drain well and return to pasta pot.

2. While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Add the onions, minced garlic, and chopped green pepper.

3. Toss in the mushrooms and cook until the mushrooms begin to soften.
4. Drain the beef mixture and return to the skillet.
5. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings.
6. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
7. Pour the meat sauce over the pasta in the pasta pot and give it a stir.
8. Stir in half of the cheese.
9. Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish or aluminum foil tray. Cover tightly with 2 layers of aluminum foil.
10. Put the rest of the cheese in a medium size freezer bag. Seal and set on top of the tray and place the tray and bag in the freezer.

Cooking instructions:

1. Thaw. Set the bag of cheese to the side.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°.
3. Bake the casserole for 30 minutes if thawed or one hour if frozen. Remove the aluminum foil and top with the cheese from the bag. Continue baking for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Check out some of our other make ahead pastas:

• Baked Tortellini Alfredo
• Easy Tuna Casserole
• Chicken Pasta Bake
• Chicken and Spinach Penne Alfredo
• Make Ahead Mac and Cheese