Spittin’getti Casserole

Comfort food time is rolling around and you shouldn’t be caught short. This recipe is sure to please everyone. Mild enough for kids and sophisticated enough to please the adult palate as well.

It makes enough for an army, and warms up pretty well too.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 lb. ground round, browned
• 2/3 lb. pasta of your choice, cooked al dente
• 1/2 lb Italian sausage or other sausage, browned.
• 1 c diced onions
• 1 c diced mushrooms
• 2 c spaghetti sauce homemade or store-bought
• 1 c parmesan cheese
• enough slices of pepperoni to cover the top
• 8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Brown the beef and sausage together, remove to another dish.
2. Cook the onions in the fat from the meet until translucent, then add the mushrooms and saute until limp cooked.
3. Heat salted water in a separate pot and cook up the pasta, drain well.
4. Add the meat back in with the onion mixture and mix.
5. Add the sauce and the pasta to the meat mixture and stir until mixed.
6. Spread half of the mixture into an casserole pan.
7. Top with half the cheeses.
8. Add the rest of the meat mixture to the top, cover with the balance of the cheeses and then the pepperoni..
9. Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes, or until bubbly.
10. Serve with bread and a crisp salad.

SERVES: 8

NOTES: You can use other cheeses if you wish. Use any type of mushroom you desire.

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Skillet Moussaka

I worked in downtown Detroit for many years, my office being but two blocks from Greek town. I thus became something of an expert on Greek food.

Moussaka is a favorite of mine and I’ve made several casseroles over the year, but this recipe is a good but quick substitute. It comes together quite fast, and tastes surprisingly good.

Great for a quick meal.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 medium eggplant, peeled and diced.
• 1 1/4 pound ground beef
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon fresh oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon allspice
• dash pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 cup milk
• 4 ounces shredded Monterey jack or mozzarella cheese, grated
• chopped parsley (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Peel and cut eggplant into diced chunks about 1/2 inch each.
2. Brown beef with garlic in skillet; drain.
3. Add eggplant, tomato paste, water, oregano, salt, onion powder, cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, and pepper.
4. Cook about 10 minutes or until eggplant is tender.
5. Combine milk and egg in small bowl. Set aside.
6. Melt butter in small saucepan. Add milk mixture. Cook over low heat stirring constantly until thickened
7. Power white sauce over meat mixture. Top with cheese.
8. Place skillet in oven about 6 inches from broiler and broil on high for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is browned. If you don’t want to turn oven on, you can cover the skillet and just cook until the cheese melts.
9. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top if desired.

SERVES: 6

NOTES: You can make a traditional roux of flour and butter if you wish instead of the egg, but the carbs will be higher.

SOURCE: Low Carb Yum