Pizza Bake

As you know, Mr. Schwartz and I are trying to clean out our refrigerator and use things up in our pantry.  I have been craving a Banh Mi Sandwich like something fierce but, turns out, we don't have all the ingredients.  So, I popped our marinated pork chops back into the freezer in order to use some of the things we already have on hand.

I checked out the fridge and found: onion, peppers, pepperoni and Italian Cheese Blend.  Humm...one would think: pizza.  But, we just made stromboli's and I wasn't really feeling it.  I then made my way to the pantry and what did I find?  TONS, I mean TONS of pasta.  Then the idea struck me--Pizza Bake!!! I have never tried this before but wow, great flavor and the left overs area awwwesome.  Not to mention I used a lot of things in the fridge and pantry.


Here's the break down:


Musical Selection: Heart it Races by Dr. Dog.  Just sounded good today as I was cooking.


Start by putting a large dice on your veggies. 

Sautee them a bit in a large pan with a drizzle of olive oil.


Next add your ground beef.

Once your ground beef is all the way cooked, add the pepperoni.  I cut mine in half but do what feels right to you.  Drain the meat and veggies if needed.  I used very lean meat so there wasn't much to drain.

Then add the spaghetti sauce and pizza or Italian Seasoning....heat through.

Add your cooked pasta to this mixture.  Make sure to cook your pasta until its almost done...very al dente.  It will continue to cook in the oven.

Put this into a greased 9x13 pan.

Top with your cheese...mozzarella/Italian Blend works best but use what you got!

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until hot a bubbly.

Serve with crusty, garlicy bread.  (recipe below if you so desire : )

A tasty way to clean out what you have in your pantry and fridge! 




Pizza Bake


Ingredients
1/2 onion (any kind will do)
1/2 of a red pepper
1/2 of a green pepper
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup (or so) pepperoni slices
1 1/2 large jars spaghetti sauce
3/4 of a pound of pasta--any type will be fine
2 tablespoons pizza or Italian Seasoning


Preparation:

Start by putting a large dice on your veggies.  

Sautee them a bit in a large pan with a drizzle of olive oil. 

Next add your ground beef.  

Once your ground beef is all the way cooked, add the pepperoni.    Drain the meat (of fat) and veggies if needed. 

Then add the spaghetti sauce and pizza or Italian Seasoning....heat through.  

Add your cooked pasta to this mixture.  Make sure to cook your pasta until its almost done...very al dente. 

Put this into a greased 9x13 pan.  

Top with your cheese

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until hot a bubbly. 

Serve with crusty, garlicy bread.  (recipe below if you so desire : ) 

Super Easy Garlic Bread

1 toaf crusty bread 

2 tablespoons of minced garlic

3 tablespoons of butter (softened)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 tablespoon dried parsley 

Cut loaf in half lengthwise

Mix remaining ingredients and spread in the inside of the loaf

Place loafs butter side up in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes...if this doesn't brown the bread pop on the broiler for a few minutes. Pay attention, I have lost many a good loaf to the broiler.