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Quick and Easy Johnny Marzetti
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- #3908
Johnny Marzetti, aka goulash, is hamburger helper all grown up! A can of tomato soup brings deep tomato flavor to this comfort food pasta, and it's perfect with a little hot sauce for an extra kick.
serves/makes:
ready in:
under 30 minutes
under 30 minutes
5 reviews
2 comments
ingredients
8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cans (10 ounce size) condensed tomato soup
1/2 cup water
salt and pepper, to taste
directions
Cook the macaroni in salted water as directed on the package. Drain well.
While the pasta is cooking, add the ground beef to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease then add the onion to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft.
Add the tomato soup and water to the skillet and mix well. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, stir well, and cook until heated through.
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
recipe tips
Brown the ground beef, breaking up the meat into even pieces.
Serve with grated cheese or a sprinkle of fresh herbs for extra flavor.
Pair with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Adjust the seasoning to taste, and don't hesitate to add your favorite herbs and spices.
If you want a more Italian flavor, add a little red wine to the sauce while cooking.
common recipe questions
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can use other pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, shells, or rigatoni. Any shorter pasta will work.
Is it necessary to use condensed tomato soup?
Condensed tomato soup provides a rich flavor, but you can use tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes as alternatives. You may want to add seasoning to the sauce as tomato soup has additional flavorings.
Can I add other vegetables?
Bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini can be great additions.
How should I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare it ahead and reheat it, but it's best enjoyed fresh. You may need to add liquid as the pasta may absorb more of the sauce as it sits.
Is there a substitute for ground beef?
You can use ground turkey, sausage, chicken, or a plant-based meat substitute. You can even use cut up hot dogs or smoke sausage.
Can I make this dish spicier?
Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to taste for extra heat.
Can I freeze Johnny Marzetti?
It freezes well. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop, adding a little water if necessary if the dish seems dry.
nutrition data
563 calories, 25 grams fat, 53 grams carbohydrates, 29 grams protein per serving.
Beer makes batters better, meat more tender, and sauces more flavorful.
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reviews & comments
I made a recipe that was real good.1# ground beef one onion and one green pepper. One 14oz can of diced tomatoes and one can 14oz.tomato sauce. 1 tablespoon chili powder and cumin and garlic powder. One can corn and one can kidney beans, but I didn't like kidney beans so I used chili beams And then macaroni With cheddar cheese on top.
November 18, 2019
I love this recipe ! My mom always made for us ( we were a family of 12 so I went a long way!!) We always used ground hamburger and v8 vegetable juice . And she would always put a little sugar in it to give a really great taste!
I grew up with this with and without meat. We use tomato soup and 1/2 can milk. Garlic powder added to the chuck along with season salt and lots of pepper. We also add all ingredients to the pasta pot after draining, try par cooking the macaroni a minute or two. The pasta cooks in the sauce, about 10 minutes to cook the soup, then add 2 tablespoons butter and 1/2 cup romano (or parm). Poor mans spaghetti is what my mom called it in the 60's.
October 9, 2018
Definitely add a can of drained corn or peas! Yum!!!!!!!!
April 11, 2018
I have made this plenty times but I use tomato sauce insteaed of soup. This is so versatile you can use almost any kind of pasta. I make mine with rotini too It is also good with grated parmesan cheese.
July 16, 2015
This was an easy recipe to make but even with adding salt/pepper my family and I thought it tasted bland, not like the goulash I remember from childhood. Will keep looking for a good recipe for this.
August 13, 2013
We called this goulash growing up. It's super easy to make and pretty much all the ingredients can be adjusted to taste. I've made it with plain tomato sauce instead of tomato soup too - just based on what I had on hand. I've also used other pasta than the macaroni like rotini and penne. You can also use ground turkey or sausage. Totally flexible. I don't serve it over anything like the directions say since it's already got pasta in it.