peggy's pizza casserole
This recipe was shared with me about 30 years ago by my mother-in-law. She never made it the same way because she was always adding and subtracting her ingredients. It is a very easy recipe to make and is sure to be a hit with your children. Serve with a fresh salad and garlic bread. Make sure to have extra sauce handy. Some pasta grabs sauce more than others. It should not be dry. You should have a little swimming in the dish of pasta when you put it together.
Blue Ribbon Recipe
This simple recipe mimics the flavors of pizza in a casserole. Instead of dough, it uses hearty pasta as the base. The peppers, onions, and mushrooms give this a supreme pizza feeling. It's topped with an ample amount of mozzarella cheese and pepperoni to add to the pizza feeling. Serve with a side salad and garlic bread for a delicious and easy meal. Everyone will go back for seconds.
Ingredients
- 16oz. boxes elbow macaroni or sea shells
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 jars pizza sauce or homemade pizza sauce (16 oz each)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 package sliced mushrooms
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 cup water
- 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and chiles, optional (10 oz.)
- 1 can sliced black olives (4.25 oz)
- 12 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 package pepperoni sliced
How To Make peggy's pizza casserole
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Step 1Prepare the pasta as directed, remembering to salt the water while boiling macaroni. Drain and set aside in a large mixing bowl -
Step 2In a large deep skillet, brown the ground beef. Drain and set aside.
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Step 3In the same skillet over medium heat, put in the olive oil and lightly saute the garlic, onion, and bell pepper until a little tender.
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Step 4Add the sauce, ground beef, Italian seasoning, oregano, and water. Stir together and let simmer about 5 minutes.
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Step 5Add canned tomatoes and olives. Let simmer a few minutes.
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Step 6Stir in the cooked pasta.
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Step 7Spread into a 9x13 deep dish pan (lasagna pan).
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Step 8Cover the top of the casserole with the shredded cheese.
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Step 9Then layer the pepperoni across the top.
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Step 10Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling. Pepperoni and cheese should look like a pizza when ready.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
