Johnnie Masetta
A hearty, comforting casserole blending savory ground beef, vegetables, and rich tomato flavors, topped with cheese. Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 1 large chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 can tomato soup ⓘ
- 1 (No. 2) can tomatoes ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- Tabasco sauce to taste ⓘ
- Worcestershire sauce to taste ⓘ
- mustard to taste ⓘ
- pinch of brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced olives ⓘ
- 1 large package wide noodles ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown ground beef, chopped onion, chopped celery, and chopped green pepper until tender, but not browned.
- Add canned tomatoes and tomato soup to the beef mixture.
- Cook the mixture for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season with salt, pepper, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and a pinch of brown sugar.
- Add sliced mushrooms and sliced olives before removing from heat.
- Combine the cooked mixture with wide noodles and mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish.
- Top with cheese.
- Bake in a hot oven for 20 minutes until golden brown.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding garlic or Italian seasoning to the beef mixture. If you want a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for the beef. You can also use whole wheat noodles for a healthier option. To save time, pre-cook noodles while the beef mixture simmers. If you're short on time, using Ricearoni as a base can make this dish even easier.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Johnnie Masetta with a fresh green salad and some crusty bread for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Totally Texas Cornbread for a comforting side. For a bit of crunch, consider adding some pickled vegetables on the side. This dish is also delicious with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese on top just before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Allow leftovers to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture, heating in short intervals until warmed through. You can also reheat in the oven at 350°F until hot.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Johnnie Masetta contains roughly 260 calories, with 5g protein, 45g carbohydrates, and 7g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 953mg per serving (41% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Johnnie Masetta ahead of time?
Yes, this dish can be prepared ahead of time. You can assemble it in the casserole dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.
What can I substitute for the canned tomatoes?
If you don't have canned tomatoes, you can use fresh diced tomatoes or even crushed tomatoes. Alternatively, tomato sauce can work in a pinch, but you may want to adjust the seasoning since sauces can be more concentrated.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Absolutely! You can replace the ground beef with lentils or a plant-based meat substitute to make a vegetarian version. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth, and add extra vegetables like zucchini or carrots for added flavor and nutrition.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).