Until Google, we had no idea why Grammy called this Johnny Marzetti. Now we know it was named for a dish first served at an Italian restaurant in Ohio called Marzetti’s, probably in the 1890s. But we fell off our chairs laughing when we saw it described on Wikipedia as “an American pasta dish in the cuisine of the Midwestern United States.” This very simple dish is comfort food from our childhood, and tastes wonderful.

We don’t bother with the celery or the chopped stuffed olives, seen above on Grammy’s recipe card. But you have our express permission to make it any way you want to.

• 1 – 2 pounds ground chuck
• Large can diced tomatoes
• Small can tomato paste
• Water
• 2-3 green and/or red bell peppers, julienned
• Salt
• 1 pound macaroni elbows

Brown ground chuck in large saucepan. Add tomato paste and stir, then add tomatoes and peppers with pinch of salt. After you have emptied the tomato paste, fill the empty can with water and add to the sauce. Cover and simmer sauce. until peppers are tender. Cook macaroni according to package directions, and serve marzetti over well-drained macaroni.