Johnny Marzetti

English

Etymology

Originated at Marzetti's, an Italian restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. The dish was introduced by Teresa Marzetti, who named it after her brother-in-law.

Noun

Johnny Marzetti (uncountable)

1. An American Midwestern pasta dish made with noodles, cheese, ground beef or Italian sausage, and a tomato sauce that may include aromatic vegetables and mushrooms.
   • 2000, Allan A. Metcalf, How We Talk: American Regional English Today, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, →ISBN, page 97:

     At home you can make Johnny Marzetti with canned soup, noodles, and ground beef.

   • 2001, Brenda McGuire, Love, Mom: Stories and Recipes from Kingston, Ohio, Resilient Pub, →ISBN, page 60:

     [...] Johnny marzetti for dinner. She always made it in this large, oval, cast iron baking dish that was quite heavy. When the marzetti was done, she took it from the oven and carried it across the dining room  […]

   • 2006, Jerry Minnich, The Wisconsin Almanac, Big Earth Publishing, →ISBN, page 30:

     There are a million Johnny Marzetti recipes. This one is my favorite - better than most, easier than some. 8 ounce package egg noodles  […]

   • 2013 July 2, Taste of Home, Taste of Home Recipes Across America: 735 of the Best Recipes from Across the Nation, Penguin, →ISBN:

     Like so many popular dishes, the Johnny Marzetti has had many reincarnations.

   • 2017 October 17, Elizabeth Heiskell, What Can I Bring?: Southern Food for Any Occasion Life Serves Up, Time Inc. Books, →ISBN:

     ... Johnny Marzetti pasta, salads, French bread, desserts, and wine. Lord, it was enough food for a village. They also did one of the smartest things ever: They packed a container with more Johnny Marzetti and stuck it in my freezer […]

2. Synonym of American chop suey