This is the first in a new series of recipes I’m creating for the USO of Northern Ohio. The goal is to provide simple, tasty and economical meal ideas for our active duty military members and their families. These recipes don’t require fancy ingredients or equipment and can feed a family of four for $10 or less.

Up first is Johny Marzetti. If you grew up in Ohio between 1940 and 1980 you probably ate this at some point in your childhood. It is an Italian style casserole made popular by Marzetti’s restaurant in Columbus Ohio. They were also well known for their house made salad dressings and you can still buy Marztetti’s dressing in most grocery stores in the midwest.

My grandmother made this several times a month in her regular rotation of meals. She didn’t leave us a recipe but I have recreated a version (with a twist or two of my own) that tastes just like I remember. She always made it with macaroni, but any small pasta will work. It’s easy to make and it’s loaded with Italian flavor.

USO Johny Marzetti

April 8, 2020

by Old Guy in the Kitchen

Cuisine American Italian

Category Meals Under $10 Meats & Main Dishes

A quick, easy and cheap Italian inspired casserole that has been an Ohio favorite for decades. It tastes great and costs less than $10 to feed a family of four (including the Italian green beans featured in the video and garlic bread).

Persons

6

Serving Size

1.5 cups

Notes

1) My grandmother made this with plain old ground beef. If you can’t find ground Italian sausage you can substitute plain hamburger. 2) Any small pasta will work if you don’t have macaroni

Ingredients

• 8 oz of macaroni
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes
• 28 oz can of tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 Cups water
• 1 Cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F
2. In a large skillet brown the sausage and drain the fat
3. Add the diced onion and green pepper, cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the onions begin to turn clear.
4. Add all of the remaining ingredients except the shredded mozzarella and stir well.
5. Spoon the mixture into a large, greased casserole dish.
6. Bake uncovered at 350° F for one hour
7. Sprinkle the Mozzarella cheese over the casserole and bake for an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted

Nutrition Facts

USO Johny Marzetti

Serves: 6 servings

Amount Per Serving: 1.5 cups
Calories		648.46 kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 38.75 g		58.5%
	Saturated Fat 17.49 g	85%
	Trans Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 104.43 mg		34.7%
Sodium 1698.6 mg		70.8%
Total Carbohydrate 43.88 g		14.3%
	Dietary Fiber 5.1 g	20%
	Sugars 10.72 g
Protein 31.96 g

Vitamin A		Vitamin C
Calcium		Iron

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Old Guy In The Kitchen

Tags

cheap,

easy,

fast,

quick

© 2025 Matthew L Allen, Old Guy In The Kitchen – All rights reserved

https://oldguykitchen.com/2020/04/08/uso-johny-marzetti/

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