Pizza Noodle Bake!

This "Pizza Noodle Bake" is a really easy and budget friendly casserole that feeds a crowd and even your picky eaters will love!  Add a salad and maybe some bread and dinner is served!  I think we all need a few 'go to' recipes like this when we just want something homemade, but do not have hours of time to be in the kitchen!  Here is what you will need:

1 (10 oz.) bag of wide egg noodles, cooked al dente and drained 

1 -  1 1/2 pounds ground chuck or ground beef

1/2 cup sweet onion, diced

1/2 green bell pepper, diced

2 (15 oz.) cans or jars of pizza sauce

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. dried basil

1 Tbs. sugar

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 can mushroom pieces, drained (optional)

8 oz. sliced pepperoni

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

8 oz. shredded Mozzarella cheese

Cook the noodles according to the package directions minus a minute or two.  Brown the ground chuck or beef in a skillet along with the onion and green pepper.  Drain any excess grease.  Add pizza sauce, salt, pepper, sugar, basil and garlic powder.   Stir to combine.  Add the mushroom pieces if you are using them.  If your family doesn't like mushrooms, leave them out!

Drain the noodles and layer half of them in a 9"x13" baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.   Layer half of the meat and sauce, half of the pepperoni and half of the cheeses. 

Repeat all of the layers one more time, ending in cheese. 

Cover with foil and place in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.  Uncover and bake for 10 more minutes or just until the top is starting to brown.

Serve with a salad and garlic bread or bread sticks and dinner is served!  Kids and men love this one!  Even your pickiest eaters will love it!

If you are cooking for two or lighter eaters,  put this in two 9"x 9" baking dishes and bake one and freeze the other one for a night when you don't have time to cook!   To bake the frozen casserole, remove from the freezer about 30 minutes to an hour before baking.  Leave covered with foil and place in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.  Uncover and bake another 15 minutes!  It will be just as good as the first one was!