Courtney’s Weeknight Pizza Bake

I haven’t posted a recipe in a while, so I thought I would share the tasty dinner I made for my husband last night.  I try to make casseroles or other make ahead items, so I can pop these in the oven when my husband gets home from work.  These days, he isn’t getting home until 9 PM, so I like to have something hot and hearty for him as he works hard delivering packages for UPS!

Courtney’s Weeknight Pizza Bake

Ingredients:

1.5 cups of Heart Smart Bisquick mix

2 eggs

approx 1/2 cup of water

seasonings: garlic powder, crushed red pepper, 21 Seasoning Salute

1/2 bag mini pepperonis

1 package (about .82 lbs) Italian sausage

1/2 package neufachtel cheese (or full fat cream cheese)

1 jar tomato sauce (your choice!)

1/2 bag shredded Italian style cheese

First I started off mixing the Bisquick and the eggs in a bowl.  I added water from the half cup and mixed until the mixture was wet.  I didn’t use the whole half cup, use a bit at a time until the dough is well mixed.  I also added a dash of garlic powder and 21 Seasoning Salute to the mix.

Spread this dough mixture in the bottom of a greased casserole dish.

At the same time, cook the sausage (I added crushed red pepper) on the stove.

Now start layering the ingredients on the casserole!

First use half the jar of sauce on top of the dough.

Next put a layer of mini pepperoni’s

Next the secret ingredient: neufchatel cheese (aka low fat cream cheese). I dotted half a block over this layer.

Top with the sausage

Finally use the second half of the sauce and half a package of shredded cheese.

Bake for 40-45 minutes in a 375 degree oven or until bubbly and cooked.

I forgot to get a picture of my husband enjoying the ooey gooey dish!  I wasn’t quite sure how this recipe would turn out as I made it up as I went along.  But it turned out great, a hearty crust with lots of layers of goodness. 

Because my brother is a police officer and often works odd hours in the cold as well, I called him and he was on duty.  I asked if he was hungry and he answered “of course.”  I packed him up a satchel of food.  Casserole, a sliced orange, bottle of water and a few dark chocolate mint Hershey Kisses with a napkin and fork.

Once all my boys were fed I was finally able to relax and enjoy the rest of my Thursday night.

TGIF to all my bloggies out there!  Hope you have something fun planned for the weekend.

I have work tomorrow, a Christmas party tomorrow night, and the big Packer/Bears football game on Sunday.  Can’t wait to snuggle up and watch the game on Sunday…and GO PACKERS!

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