Johnny Marzetti

What to Put on the Table With Johnny Marzetti

• Green salad
• Garlic bread
• Steamed green beans

How to Make Johnny Marzetti

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1. Heat the oven to 200°C / 390°F (180°C / 355°F fan). Boil the macaroni in well-salted water for 2 minutes less than the packet says. Keep a mug of the water, then drain.

   Mark done Start 2 min timer

2. Brown the mince in a large pan over medium-high heat for 8 minutes, breaking it up. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 4 minutes.

   Mark done Start 8 min timer

3. Stir in the tomatoes, purée, oregano and salt. Simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.

   Mark done Start 10 min timer

4. Mix the pasta into the sauce, loosening with a splash of the pasta water if it looks dry. Tip into a 3 litre dish and top with the cheese.

   Mark done

5. Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and browned in spots.

   Mark done Start 20 min timer

A Few Notes

Undercook the macaroni by 2 minutes so it does not go soft in the oven.

Grate the cheese yourself; it melts better than the pre-grated kind.

If the sauce is thin after simmering, give it 5 more minutes before mixing in the pasta.

Rest the dish for 5 minutes before serving so it holds together.

If You're Missing Something

• An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.
• Fresh herbs work in place of the dried oregano at roughly three times the quantity — a teaspoon of dried is about a tablespoon of fresh, chopped.

Keeping What's Left

Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat portions in the microwave or a 180°C oven. Freezes for up to 3 months before baking.

Questions and Answers

Nutrition per Serving

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.