Here's a quick casserole while I prepare my acceptance speech--Atalissa Pizza Casserole

Atalissa Pizza Casserole
The All-American Truck Stop Cookbook Copyright 2002

1 pound lean ground beef, browned and drained I cooked the meat with the onion, pepper and garlic
1 small onion, chopped
1/3 green pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (4-ounce) can mushrooms, drained
½ cup chopped pepperoni
½ cup sliced black olives
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
2 cups cooked noodles I used Dreamfield penne and more than 2 cups
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon basil
1/8 teaspoon oregano
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Mozzarella cheese, for topping

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together, except the mozzarella. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Maybe because I cooked the vegetables with the meat, I didn't need to cook this as long. When done, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and let melt.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

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I know, almost every casserole I make looks the same. My husband took one look at this and said 'I love that' and I asked him how he knew that since I had never made this recipe before last night. Yeah, I'll give him a break - I have made similar casseroles. Hey, I'm feeding a 3-year old here. I have to keep it real.

This was very good and certainly had that pizza taste but it was way too salty. I usually keep the actual salt out when there are so many other salty ingredients but I forgot this time. I was also a bit heavy handed on the Parmesan cheese, thanks to my new handy-dandy Microplane. I've been wanting one of those for so long but Amazon was nevering offering free shipping for these when I looked and I rarely get into a good kitchen supply store. I finally got my hands on one and I can't believe I've lived this long without one. That has got to be one of the handiest kitchen gadgets - a must have for anyone who uses citrus zest or Parmesan cheese. Well worth the $12.99 I paid.

I love this cookbook but I wish all of the recipes were scaled down to family proportions. So many of them can literally feed a truck stop full of people. It's still kind of fun though, even though I've never eaten at a truck stop in my life and I practically drive by a very good one every day.

Now for some shocking news - I'm on the list for the Blogger's Choice Awards. How exciting! Okay, there are hundreds of food blogs on the list but it doesn't take much to make me feel special. I'm going to look at this with the same competitive spirit I had during high school track and field and cross-country - I don't want to come in last! I always considered myself a winner if there was at least one person crossing the finish line behind me. If nobody votes for me, I'm going to have to break down and vote for myself.

Blast From The Past: Creekside Spanish Rice, also from this cookbook, from October 2006.

Question of the Day: Do you make many casseroles?