Pizza Casserole

This is an quick and inexpensive way to make a dinner the kids are sure to love. I love ways that you can sneak vegetables into a picky eaters life. Very versatile, put in whatever you like on a pizza.

PIZZA CASSEROLE

(serves 6)

Ingredients:

*8 ounces macaroni

*1 pound ground beef

*1 pound Italian Sausage

*1 onion, chopped fine

*3 cloves garlic, minced

*1/2 green pepper, chopped fine

*1 (6 ounce) package sliced pepperoni 

*6 cups pizza sauce

*2 tablespoons Italian seasoning

*1 teaspoon dried oregano 

*1 teaspoon dried basil

*4 cups pizza sauce (about 25 ounces)

*2 1/2  cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

*1/2 green pepper, chopped small

Directions:

~Cook 8 ounces macaroni as directed on package.

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Grease a 9x13 inch pan.

~In a medium skillet, over medium heat, cook 1 pound brown ground beef, 1 pound Italian sausage, chopped green pepper, 1 chopped onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves, breaking up meat as it cooks.

~Cook until beef is no longer pink.

~Drain any excess grease.

~Add 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper and stir until well mixed.

~Cut 1/2 package of pepperoni into quarters and stir into meat mixture.

~Stir in 6 cups pizza sauce and cooked macaroni until well combined.

~Pour half of pasta mixture into prepared pan.

~Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.

~Pour remaining half of pasta mixture over cheese.

~Sprinkle reaming 1  1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese over top.

~Place remaining pepperoni slices and 1/2 chopped green pepper on top of casserole.

~Bake for 40-45 minutes.

Cucumber-Tomato-Feta Salad

I love this salad, especially when the veggies are in season.  It is so good.  You can add black olives if you like.  I like them, but my family does not.





CUCUMBER-TOMATO-FETA SALAD
(serves 6)

Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
*3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
*3/4 teaspoon dried basil
*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon onion powder
*1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
*1/3 cup red wine vinegar
*1 (16 ounce) container of cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half
 (when tomatoes are in season I use about 2-3 tomatoes, chopped)
*2 cucumbers, peeled and chopped
*1 small red onion, chopped
*1 cup feta cheese
*1/4 cup black olives, sliced (optional)

Directions:
~In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, garlic powder, dried basil, pepper, salt, onion powder, mustard and red wine.
~Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
~In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumbers and onions.
~Mix dressing over veggies.
~Sprinkle feta cheese over top and serve.