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!