Pizza Casserole

Who doesn't like pizza? Not us, that's for sure! Bread, cheese, greasy toppings - what's not to like! While a traditional pie will always be tops, I do enjoy trying out new ways to make pizza-like meals. I found this recipe on Melissa's blog and made it just a few days later. It could not have been easier and was delicious! This was originally a Weight Watchers recipe, but I made it more or less the same way Melissa did. I sprayed my crust with Pam before baking and sprinkled it with garlic powder and Italian herbs. As we were eating, Joe remarked that it would be even better with pepperoni on top, so next time I'll add that too!

Pizza Casserole

1 lb of extra lean ground beef

1/2 onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 jar of sliced mushrooms, drained (I used fresh)

1 jar of your favorite tomato sauce

Spray of Pam

1 10 oz can refrigerated pizza dough

6 oz of part skim mozzarella cheese, divided

Preheat oven to 425. In a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook onion, garlic until softened, add meat stirring until it's browned. Drain, if necessary, and return to skillet. Add mushrooms and tomato sauce, and cook until heated through and most of the sauce has been absorbed (you want your meat mixture more on the dry side then the saucy side). While meat cooks, coat a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Unroll pizza crust dough, and press into bottom and halfway up sides of the baking dish. Pre-bake in the oven for 5 minutes.Remove from oven, then add a layer of cheese, then a layer of the meat mixture, then top with a layer of cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 12 minutes or until crust is browned and cheese melts. Cool 5 minutes before serving.