This Marzetti recipe is a delightful one-dish meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. With a prep time of just 20 minutes and a total cook time of 55 minutes, it’s a quick and easy option that doesn’t compromise on flavor. Packed with savory ingredients like ground beef, vegetables, cheese, and pasta, this dish is sure to become a family favorite in no time.
To start, gather your ingredients:
- 2 green peppers
- 1 celery stalk
- 2 onions
- 2 pounds of ground beef
- 1/2 cup of butter
- 1 can of tomato paste
- 1 can of tomato soup
- 1 cup of shredded cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces of noodles (such as spaghetti or your favorite pasta variety)
Now, let’s dive into the cooking process:
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Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready when you need to bake the dish later on.
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In a large frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add in the diced green peppers, celery, onions, and any other mushrooms you may choose to include. Sauté the vegetables until they are tender and aromatic, usually taking around 5-7 minutes.
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Next, add the ground beef to the pan with the sautéed vegetables. Cook the beef until it’s browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spatula or spoon as it cooks to ensure it’s evenly done.
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Once the ground beef is cooked, it’s time to add the tomato soup, spaghetti sauce, and tomato paste to the pan. Stir everything together until well combined, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together.
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While the meat mixture simmers, cook the noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Once cooked, drain the noodles well to remove any excess water.
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Now, it’s time to assemble the dish. In a large baking dish, spread half of the ground beef mixture evenly across the bottom. Next, layer the cooked noodles over the ground beef mixture, spreading them out to cover the entire surface. Then, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the noodles, ensuring they are evenly coated. Finally, spoon the remaining ground beef mixture on top of the cheese layer.
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Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from burning, and place it in the preheated oven. Bake the dish for 35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the flavors have melded together beautifully.
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Once done, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. This Marzetti recipe is best enjoyed hot, straight from the oven, with your favorite side salad or garlic bread to complete the meal.
Nutritionally, this dish is a balanced option, with each serving providing approximately 937.5 calories. It’s rich in protein, with 48.8 grams per serving, making it a satisfying and filling meal for the whole family. Additionally, it contains essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals from the vegetables, making it a wholesome choice for dinner.
So whether you’re looking for a quick and easy meal solution or want to impress your family with a delicious homemade dish, this Marzetti recipe is sure to hit the spot. Give it a try and enjoy the comforting flavors of this classic one-dish meal!
