Johnny Marzetti
“The secret ingredient is always love”
When I think of Johnny Marzetti, I think of love…Not because it’s yummy or because it warms your tummy, but because of the memories that come to mind.
Growing up, it was NanNan (Momma’s mom) who made Johnny Marzetti. The pasta based dish was always one of Momma & my favorites. It was always perfect, cheesy, yummy & just the right amount of spice.
Momma has carried on this tradition after NanNan passed, making it just like NanNan did. Last year for Christmas, I had this beautiful board made for Momma from Two Chicks & Company in Lexington. It’s NanNan’s Johnny Marzetti recipe in her handwriting. Momma let me borrow her board for my first time making Johhny Marzetti.
Ingredients:
12 oz. bag of egg noodles
1 chopped green pepper
1 pound - Hot Sausage
1 chopped onion
1 large can of Hunts Tomatoes (crushed up)
1 small can of tomato sauce
Shredded cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Drop noodles into boiling salted water & boil no more than 5 to 7 minutes.
Mash sausage in skilled & sautée with green pepper & onion until done.
Remove noodles from heat & drain.
Mix in sausage mixture & tomatoes, tomato sauce.
Stir & pour into large baking dish.
Bake 30 minutes at 325°.
Remove from oven & sprinkle shredded cheese & Parmesan cheese on top.
Put back in oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Enjoy!
While NanNan may not be here to try my first batch of Johnny Marzetti, I know she’s smiling as we carry on the tradition of one of our favorite meals. And, if I do say so myself, it turned out pretty tasty!
Y’all, the heart of southern living is in the kitchen, that’s where I always found my NanNan and Momma today. They are, not only, the greatest cooks I’ve ever known, but also some of the greatest role models. While I can only aspire to become half the cooks they are, I only hope to live in their footsteps, and just maybe one day (far away), be a momma like them.
