Family Favorite Recipe: Pizza-Rice Casserole
This is a family favorite from when our kids were young. I was never a big fan of rice, but my family was, and this recipe was often requested by hubby and kids alike. It was an easy recipe that I could do without much thought,
Now, doing the low-carb thing and all, I haven't made it in a while. You could sub in cauliflower rice, but Ken isn't a fan of that, so I haven't tried it. The meat and cottage cheese together yields a high protein dish.
I'm giving you the simple basic recipe here, but you could customize it to your family's taste...add in whatever pizza toppings or seasonings your bunch likes.
PIZZA-RICE CASSEROLE
Brown in a medium skillet:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 chopped onion (optional)
Add and simmer for a few minutes:
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1/4 tsp. garlic salt
- 1 tsp. salt
- dash pepper
- 1/4 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. parsley flakes
- 1/2 tsp. dried basil
Combine:
- 2 cups cooked rice (whatever kind you like)
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
In a greased 2-qt casserole dish, layer half of the rice mixture, half of the meat mixture, and some shredded cheese of your choice. Repeat layers. Bake at 325 for about 20-25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
NOTES:
- To make this even easier, in place of the tomato sauce and seasonings, use your favorite store-bought pizza sauce.
- Add (either a layer, or sprinkle on top) pepperoni, peppers, onions, olives, mushrooms, or any other pizza toppings.
- This would also be great with Elm Run Farms' 50/50 Blend Sausage/Ground Beef
Your tribe will thank you for this recipe!! Let me know if you try it...and what variations your family likes!
