Johnny Marzetti facts for kids
Johnny Marzetti is a pasta casserole popular in the American Midwest and the former Panama Canal Zone
|
|
| Alternative names | American chop suey, American goulash |
|---|---|
| Course | Main dish |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Columbus, Ohio, Midwestern United States |
| Created by | Marzetti’s Restaurant, Columbus, Ohio |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Pasta, ground beef, tomatoes |
| Variations | Cheese, mushrooms, vegetables |
Johnny Marzetti is a yummy American pasta dish. It's popular in the Midwestern United States. This tasty meal is made with noodles, cheese, and ground beef. It also has a delicious tomato sauce. Sometimes, it includes vegetables and mushrooms. It's a bit like other dishes such as American chop suey or American goulash.
Contents
The Story of Johnny Marzetti
How This Dish Began
The Johnny Marzetti dish started in Columbus, Ohio. It was created at a restaurant called Marzetti's. An Italian immigrant named Teresa Marzetti opened this restaurant in 1896. It was located near Ohio State University.
Teresa Marzetti wanted to offer something special. She created a baked casserole dish. It had ground beef, cheese, tomato sauce, and noodles. She named it after her brother-in-law, Johnny. This made Teresa Marzetti the first person to serve this dish in a restaurant.
Spreading Across the Midwest
Being close to Ohio State University helped the restaurant become very popular. By the 1920s, Johnny Marzetti was well-known. People loved it all over Ohio and the Midwestern United States.
The first Marzetti's restaurant closed in 1942. But Teresa had opened a second location in 1919. This second restaurant stayed open until she passed away in 1972. The Marzetti name later became famous for its salad dressings. You can still find these dressings today under the T. Marzetti Company brand.
Johnny Marzetti in Other Places
Interestingly, Johnny Marzetti also became very popular in the former Panama Canal Zone. Some people there even thought the dish started in their region. They often called it "Johnny Mazetti." This shows how food can travel and become loved in many different places!
