101 - Johnny Marzetti

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in calories.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheddar

💰Cheaper: American cheese

Reduced-fat cheddar lowers calories while maintaining flavor.

tomato sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade tomato sauce

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Homemade sauce can be fresher and lower in preservatives.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: string cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat while still melting well.

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet.

Add 1 large chopped onion and 2 pounds of ground beef; sauté until the beef is broken up into larger chunks and the onion is cooked.

Add 3/4 pound of sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook until tender.

Stir in 3 1/2 cups of pasta sauce and mix well.

Add 1 1/2 pounds of shredded cheddar cheese and stir until combined.

Stir in 1 pound of cooked and drained elbow macaroni until well blended.

Pour the mixture into a large casserole dish (about 2 quarts).

Top with the remaining cheese.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: