RECIPE BOX | pizza casserole

Brandon's grandma gave me this recipe at my wedding shower. I love grandma recipes because they are usually simple, easy, and delicious.  I was A-M-A-Z-E-D when Anna gobbled it up (meat and all) so I knew it was something I had to take out and make immediately (and often)!  I especially love this because you can throw leftover ingredients into it.  I usually dethaw leftover noodles from previous meals. Add a little green pepper if you are feeling spicy or a can of crushed tomatoes!

 

PIZZA CASSEROLE

1lb. hamburger (or ground turkey)
1/2 chopped small onion
2 cups cooked macaroni
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 pkg. shredded cheese
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. onion salt
1/2 cup puree carrot, cauliflower, squash (for the kid that doesn't eat vegetables)

Brown meat and onion in skillet.  Season with last five ingredients. Combine meat, macaroni and sauce.  Put half of mixture in a baking dish, then add half of cheese, repeat with sauce.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until cheese looks melted.

 

{recipe of the week} pizza // chicken caesar

Adapted from Fitness Magazine

{the goods}
1/2 pound  whole-wheat pizza dough 
3 tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oil  
3 garlic cloves 
3 anchovy fillets 
1/4 cup  plain low-fat yogurt 
2 tablespoons  fresh lemon juice 
1 1/2 teaspoons dijon mustard 
1/2 teaspoon  black pepper 
3/4 pound  chicken cutlets 
1/4 teaspoon  kosher salt 
1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped (about 12 cups)

** Let's be honest.  I didn't have time to make my own dough.  I just used the whole-wheat already made pizza crust from Wal-mart.  It comes as a two pack so I made this for myself and a traditional pepperoni for my husband.  You can also freeze the extra crust for a later pizza night.

{get to bakin}

Preheat oven to 500 degrees . Heat a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat. Divide dough into four pieces and stretch each one to roughly the size of the skillet. Add 1/2 teaspoon oil to skillet, swirling to coat, and put in one piece of dough. Cook 1 minute, then flip and bake until brown and crisp, about 5 minutes; set aside. Repeat with remaining dough.

Meanwhile, using a blender or a hand blender, puree 2 tablespoons oil, garlic, anchovies, yogurt, lemon juice, mustard and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Return skillet to burner over high heat. Toss chicken with remaining oil and season with salt and remaining pepper. Cook, flipping once, until golden and cooked through, about 4 minutes.

Slice chicken into 1/2-inch pieces and toss with romaine and dressing in a large bowl. Divide among pizzas and sprinkle with Parmesan.