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:

*2 cups uncooked egg noodles

*1/2 pound ground beef

*1 onion, chopped

*3 cloves garlic, minced

*1 green pepper, chopped (optional)

*1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)

*1/2 cup black olives (optional)

*1 cup pepperoni, sliced

*6 cups pizza sauce

*1 tablespoon italian seasoning

*4 tablespoons milk

*2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions:

~Cook 2 cups noodles as directed on package.

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~In a medium skillet, over medium heat, 1/2 pound brown ground beef, with 1 chopped green pepper, 1 chopped onion, 3 mined garlic cloves, 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms, and 1/2 cup black olives.

~Cook until beef is no longer pink.

~Drain.

~Stir in noodles, 1 cup sliced pepperoni, 6 cups pizza sauce and 4 tablespoons milk, mix well.

~Pour half of pizza mixture into a greased 2-quart casserole dish.

~Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.

~Pour remaining half of pizza casserole evenly over mozzarella cheese.

~Bake for 20 minutes.

~Remove from oven and top with remaining cheese.

~Bake for 10 more minutes.

Helpful Hint:

If your kids are picky about the vegetables, grind them up in a food processor and mix in pizza sauce. They won't even know what hit them.

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.