EASY RECIPE: Aunty Velma's Pizza Bake Casserole

Delicious in one Dish


Hey girls. I know, I know, been a while. That neanderthal of mine took a few days off of work to work on his truck, but ended up spending them at my kitchen table and under my feet. So, I really didn't get anything done until just yesterday, and now, I finally got near enough to my blog to write something.

And for those of you interested, or not, yes, the job search goes on. Not easy in today's land of opportunity, but I'm making my way and will do just about anything if it works in the hours I need and the pay is worth the drive. Ha. We'll just see how well that goes. So in honor of my job search let me pass on an easy cheap recipe that will feed a whole workforce if not just an Urbilly.

This seemed to be a big hit on Facebook the other day so I thought I'd spread the love...

Aunty Velma's PIZZA BAKE CASSEROLE

This is just how the Urbilly's sweet southern Aunt Velma gave this recipe to me after a lovely Sunday family meal in the south. I made my own adjustments and now it is a favorite dish to make for company and for leftovers. Best of all it is quick, easy, and cheap--all those important things we ladies look for in a feeding a hoard of family members or pack of wolves.

*Note* Velma's additional thoughts are in parenthesis, and mine are in italics.

1 pkg. Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese (I use whatever I have-not always Kraft) I sometimes make my own

2 lbs. lean hamburger-browned & drained – (I use ground chuck) I use one pound buy free range if I can

1 large jar/can spaghetti sauce --I use 2 cans or jars pizza sauce to give it a better flavor and add some Italian seasoning or fresh Italian herbs.

1 med. onion - chopped (never measure, just put as much as I want)

1 bell pepper - chopped ( same as above, just guess) I HATE cooked green peppers so I omit this step

8 oz. Mozzarella cheese - grated (I buy shredded- sometimes more than 8 oz.) I honestly buy shredded cheese in bulk and freeze it so that I can make this meal (and others) at a moment's notice, not to mention keep the cost down.

8 oz. Cheddar cheese - grated (again, I buy shredded and usually get 12 oz) same here with the cheddar

6 to 8 oz. Mozzarella cheese - sliced (comes in a package already sliced) I buy this, but often use American if I already have some.

12 oz. sliced Pepperoni The man doesn't like too much pepperoni on his frozen pizza so we save what he doesn't use in a ziploc in the freezer specifically for this meal

Prepare macaroni & cheese dinner, according to package directions. While it is cooking, brown hamburger and drain well. Add onion & bell pepper and pour in spaghetti sauce. Simmer about five minutes (I never time it). Pour macaroni & cheese in bottom of lightly greased (I spray) 9"x13" baking dish. (I find unless it is really deep it boils out in my oven, so I usually use a throw away lasagna pan) I use a lasagna dish and put a pan under to catch spill over.

Sprinkle half of cheeses over macaroni & cheese, and then pour hamburger sauce on top. Sprinkle remaining cheeses over that and top with sliced Mozzarella cheese, and then layer with Pepperoni. I don't layer like Velma. Just a few here and there in even terms. I mean this lady really piled on the pepperoni-enough so you couldn't see the glorious bubbling cheese.

Bake at 350 deg for 30-35 minutes, or until cheeses are completely melted. Remove from oven and let sit about 5 minutes before serving. I use a paper towel to sop up some of the cheese and pepperoni grease before I serve it--for real. It is also a great leftover and is almost better the next day.

Can be made the day/night before and cooked the next day. Very simple, and a good pot-luck dish or can be taken when there is a death or illness in a family. Aw. That's so sweet and just like Velma. I'd think it would freeze well also, but I haven't tried it myself just yet. I'm also sure variations would be wonderful. Add mushrooms and black olives to make it a supreme, or Canadian bacon and pineapple, or maybe chicken BBQ--the possibilities are endless...

Well there you go. Heart attack in the casserole form of pizza.

Delish in a lasagna dish.




Still traipsing along,

Donna Freakin' Reed





xoxo