Baked Ziti-like Pizza Casserole

I am a HUGE fan of pasta.  It is the perfect food in my opinion.  Not only does it fill you up but it is yummy, easy, and cheap.  Of course it isn't exactly calorie friendly, and when you add all the cheese and other toppings it pretty much becomes downright hostile to your calorie count.  Long live the mantra - Everything In Moderation.  Just like my wonderful bread, there is no way I would be able to give up pasta.  So now I try to make my pasta dishes count.  No more just throwing together some boiled pasta and a can of sauce and calling it dinner - hey don't judge me that is better than some I am sure. :-D  Now we will make bakes, pestos, avocado sauce and balsamic glazes; our pasta is "patrician".

This recipe is NOT one of those.  It is a simple, throw it in a pan, toss it in the oven and enjoy type of meal, but it is good.  I can't change all my stripes at once or no one will recognize me!  I am hoping that this might be the gateway meal to get Stinks to eat pasta again. (What three year old DOESN'T eat pasta?!)

Now I have a few "pizza" casserole recipes.  Some involve all-purpose baking mixes (read: bisquick) and some with pasta.  This really is just baked ziti with the addition of pepperoni and the substitution of mexican cheese for mozzarella.  I am not sure if it is the pepperoni topping or the change in cheese, but something about this casserole changes the taste from boring baked ziti to a hint of yummy pepperoni pizza.

Baked Ziti-like Pizza Casserole

• 9 c Egg Noodles (I use no-yolk 98% fat free ones)
• 1 lb Ground Beef - browned
• 2 c Mexican Cheese - shredded
• 2 1/2 c Pasta Sauce
• 1 oz Pepperoni

1. Cook egg noodle according to package, drain and set aside.
2. Brown and drain beef and set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 350 F
4. Spread 1/2 c sauce on the bottom of an 11 x 17 baking dish.
5. Layer half the noodles onto the sauce and top with half the meat.  
6. Pour 1 c of sauce on top of the meat and top with 1 c of cheese.
7. Layer remaining noodles, followed by remaining meat, then sauce and finally cheese.
8. Spread the pepperoni out on top of the casserole.
9. Cover the dish with tin foil and bake for 35 minutes.  Remove tinfoil and continue baking for an addition 10 -15 minutes or until pepperoni and sides have reached your desired crispiness.  
10. Enjoy

I didn't think to take pictures seeing this didn't seem like a recipe that would be all that difficult or impressive - I am glad to say I was wrong.

If you try it let me know if you think it is the pepperoni or the cheese that changes it from baked ziti into something more.