Zucchini Pizza Casserole ala ~DKBB~

Zucchini Pizza Casserole ala ~DKBB~
(original recipe from tasteofhome.com)

3 to 4 cups grated zucchini

½ tsp. salt
2 large eggs
½ c. grated Parmesan cheese
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 lb. ground beef
½ lb. Italian sausage
½ c. chopped onion
⅓ c. chopped green pepper
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 15oz can tomato sauce
1 4oz can mushrooms, drained
Italian seasoning to taste
35 to 50 small pieces pepperoni, cut in quarters
Fresh basil, chopped, as garnish

• Preheat oven to 400° F.
  
• Place grated zucchini in colander and sprinkle with salt; let stand 10 minutes, then squeeze out the moisture.
• Combine zucchini with eggs, Parmesan, and half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses; press into a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish; bake 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, Italian sausage, onion, and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain as needed; add garlic and cook another 2 minutes; add mushrooms, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning and simmer while the zucchini crust bakes.
• When crust is done, remove from oven and lower oven temperature to 375° F.
  
• Spoon meat mixture over zucchini crust, cover with pepperoni, and sprinkle all with remaining cheeses; bake 15 to 20 minutes.

Garnish with fresh, chopped basil if desired.

Freeze option: Cool baked casserole completely; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in fridge overnight; remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking; preheat oven to 350° F; unwrap casserole; reheat on a lower oven rack until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165° F.

Tangy Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs Dinner ala ~DKBB~

Tangy Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs Dinner ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe by Ruth Andrewson in June/July 2019 issue of Simple & Delicious)

1 20 oz can pineapple chunks in own juice -OR- 2 cups fresh pineapple, chunked

Photo from Taste of Home

⅓ cup water
3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup packed brown sugar
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
Crushed red pepper and/or chili sauce, as desired
20-30 cooked spicy Italian meatballs
1 lg. green pepper, cut into 1” pieces
½ onion, cut into small chunks
Carrots and/or celery, cut into small chunks, as desired
1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 can bamboo shoots, drained
Hot cooked rice

• Drain pineapple, reserving juice; set pineapple aside. If using fresh pineapple, use 1 small can pineapple juice.

• Add water to juice (if needed) to measure 1 cup; pour into skillet; add ⅓ cup water, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch; stir until smooth; cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly.

• Add the pineapple, meatballs, veggies, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and crushed red pepper or chili sauce (to taste); simmer, uncovered, until heated through (about 20 minutes).

Serve over rice.

Mexican Shepherd's Pie ala ~DKBB~

Mexican Shepherd’s Pie ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe, based on a dish from Blue Corn Café in Santa Fe, NM)

1 lb. ground beef

1 small onion, chopped

½ green pepper, chopped

1 small jalapeño, diced

Salt and pepper to taste

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans fiesta or mexi corn, drained

1 can diced Hatch green chilies

½ to 1 tsp. turmeric

1 tsp. cumin

½ to 1 tsp. Mexican oregano

½ to 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese

Mashed potatoes (enough to generously cover the top of the casserole)

• Preheat oven to 375° F.
• Peel and boil potatoes (4 to 6 medium-sized); when cook thoroughly, drain and mash with a little milk and butter; set aside.
• Brown ground beef with onion, green pepper, and jalapeño; drain excess grease; add salt and pepper to taste; add in black beans, corn, green chilies, and spices; mix well and warm all through.
• In a 9x13 (3 qt.) glass baking pan, place the meat/vegetable mixture, top that with the cheese, then spread a good layer of mashed potatoes over all.
• Bake for 30 to 35 minutes (until potatoes are getting brown on the top).
• Serve with salsa of choice (green is best, however).

Cabbage Roll Skillet ala ~CHB~

Cabbage Roll Skillet ala ~CHB~

(original recipe by Susan Chickness in Dec 2015 Taste of Home magazine)

1 28 oz. or 2 14 oz. can(s) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 lb. ground hamburger (or chicken, pork, or turkey)

1 large onion, chopped

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce (optional)

2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

¼ to ½ tsp. white pepper

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. dried thyme leaves
½ to 1 tsp. dried basil
½ to 1 dried parsley

½ to 1 small head cabbage, thinly sliced

½ to 1 green pepper, cut into thin strips

4 cups cooked brown rice

• In large nonstick skillet, cook meat and onion over medium high heat for 6 to 8 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink and breaks into crumbles.
• Stir in tomato sauce (if using), vinegar, brown sugar, seasonings, and diced tomatoes.
• Add cabbage and green pepper; cook, covered 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Cook, uncovered, 6 to 8 minutes longer, or until cabbage is tender.
• Serve over brown rice.