Marzetti
Submitted by jrowkavi
Marzetti casserole with ground beef, egg noodles, Swiss cheese, tomato sauce, and mushrooms made entirely in the microwave. A Columbus, Ohio comfort food classic with butter-toasted breadcrumbs in the meat.
YIELD
4 servingsPREP
15 minCOOK
30 minREADY
45 minMarzetti is a Midwestern casserole classic that originated in Columbus, Ohio. This version does the whole thing in the microwave: noodles cook in one dish, ground beef browns with buttered breadcrumbs in another, and everything gets layered together with Swiss cheese, tomato sauce, and mushrooms for a final melt.
The breadcrumbs browned in butter are the detail that separates this from a generic noodle bake. Mixed into the ground beef, they add a toasted, buttery richness and help the meat hold together in the layers rather than crumbling into loose bits.
Layer the noodles and meat mixture in the casserole, then top with Swiss cheese first, tomato sauce second, and mushrooms last. That order matters. The cheese melts into the layers below while the tomato sauce stays visible on top with the mushrooms.
Pro Tips
- Stir the noodles a few times while they cook in the microwave to prevent clumping
- Crumble the ground beef as you stir during microwaving so it browns in small, even pieces
- Use Swiss cheese specifically. It has a nutty flavor that American or cheddar won’t replicate in this dish
- Let the casserole rest 5 minutes after the final heating so it’s easier to scoop
Variations
- Make it on the stovetop and finish under the broiler for a more golden cheese top
- Add Italian seasoning to the meat mixture for more herb flavor
- Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter version
Ingredients
Directions
In a deep, 3-quart, heat-resistant, non-metallic casserole place 5 cups water, 1 tablespoon salt and 3 cups uncooked noodles.
Heat, covered, in Microwave Oven 12 minutes or until noodles are tender, stir occasionally.
Drain noodles and set aside.
In a large, heat-resistant, non-metallic mixing bowl, melt ¼ cup butter in Microwave Oven 30 seconds.
Add bread crumbs and heat, uncovered, in Microwave Oven 1½ minutes or until bread crumbs are golden brown.
Add meat to bread crumb mixture and mix to combine well.
Heat, uncovered, 5 minutes or until meat is browned, stirring occasionally so meat crumbles.
Add onions, green pepper, garlic salt, salt and pepper.
Blend into meat mixture thoroughly.
Heat, uncovered, in Microwave Oven 2 minutes.
In a 2-quart, heat-resistant, non-metallic casserole layer cooked noodles with meat mixture.
Top with cheese, tomato sauce and mushrooms (in that order).
Heat, uncovered, in Microwave Oven 8 minutes or until cheese melts.
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