french Bread Pizza *MDHH

This can be done with french bread, or smaller bread such as sub size bread.  It's easy and fun.  And delicious! (france does not get a capital F in any way!).  This one would be a fun one to get the kiddos involved in.

french or Sub Bread
Spaghetti or Pizza sauce such as Ragu, etc.
Toppings of your choice (pepperoni, onion, sausage, olives, etc.)
Shredded Cheese
Parmesan Cheese (optional)

This is one of those recipes that you can change to suit your individual taste.

If you are using french bread, you might want to cut it in half so it will be easier but that's not necessary.  Slice the top half off of the bread, lay the bottom and top halves face-up on a cookie sheet or baking pan.  It's not necessary to grease the pan, but if you have a pan that you know food will stick to then I'd suggest hitting it lightly with a non-stick spray or a little olive oil.  Spoon sauce on the bread, spread so it's even.  Then add the other toppings, we usually put the shredded cheese on last but it can be first if you want.  The parmesan is usually added after it bakes, but it can be put on prior to baking.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8 - 10 minutes, but you will need to check it before the 8 minutes.  If your bread is thin, it will cook faster.  Depending on the bread size and number of toppings, it might also take longer than 10 minutes.

**Measurements Don't Happen Here!

Otter's Creamy Turkey-Pasta Casserole EDITED**

Otter had an assignment for cooking class.  She had to create a casserole.  This is what she came up with.  It's pretty good and I think it would be great on a cold evening.  Also, this is one that you can play with a little as far as the ingredients go.  Because it was for a grade, measurements did happen here!  But she chopped up the vegetables and then measured them when it looked like she had enough. :)


Creamy Turkey-Pasta Casserole

½ c Chopped Bell Pepper
½ c Chopped onion
1 lb low-fat ground turkey meat
1 tsp olive oil
1 can low-fat cream of mushroom soup
2 c cooked pasta
6oz water
1tsp parsley
1 dash garlic powder
¼ c shredded cheese.

Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.Combine Ground turkey, onion, and bell pepper in large frying pan and cook on med-high heat, scrambling the meat with a wooden spoon, until meat is no longer pink.  Drain excess grease.  Add soup, pasta, water, parsley and garlic powder, stir over medium high heat until all ingredients are blended. Top with cheese and serve.

Also, you could use ground beef instead of turkey and the soup flavor could be changed if you wish.

**EDIT:  Otter increased the soup to two cans, the water to about a soup can full and the cheese to about 1/2 cup.  It worked well and is still very tasty.

Recipe Shortcuts, Do It Yourself Hamburger Helper Mix

I have used this in the past, but I'm not sure if this is one I've used or not.  I didn't originate this, Bill found it somewhere.  The first recipe is for the base, the rest are add-ins.  My comments will be at the end and are marked with **.

T = Tablespoon
t = teaspoon

Homemade Hamburger Helper Mix


2 cups of powdered milk
1 cups corn starch
¼ cup chicken bouillon powder
2 T dried onion
1 t. basil
1 t. thyme
1 t. pepper
2 T dried parsley
1 T garlic powder

Mix all ingredients together and store in a canning jar with an air tight lid.

To make:

Chili Mac

Brown one pound of hamburger and add:
1 cup of water
1 ½ cups of uncooked elbow noodles
2 cans 15 oz. chopped tomatoes
1 T chili powder
½ cup helper mix

Bring above ingredients to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until noodles are cooked completely.

Hamburger Stroganoff

Brown one pound of hamburger and add:
2 cups water
½ cup helper mix
2 cups linguine noodles

Bring mixture to a boil and stir, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until noodles are tender. Then add:

½ cup sour cream and serve.

Hamburger Potato Casserole

Brown one pound hamburger. Add:
¾ cup water
6 peeled potatoes, sliced thin
1 cup frozen peas
½ cup (slightly heaping) helper mix

Lasagna Casserole

Brown one pound of hamburger and add:
½ half cup mix
1 chopped onion
2 cups water
2 - 8oz. cans tomato sauce
3 cups pasta of your choice
¼ cup parmesan cheese

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. top with:
2 cups mozzarella cheese

Cover with a lid and do not stir. Turn off heat. Let it sit long enough for cheese to melt.

**I have used a couple of different versions of this.  There is a little taste difference, but a lot of that is because this version doesn't have the preservatives and additives that the boxed Hamburger Helper mix has.  Also, it is a lot lower in fat.  You can use whole-wheat pasta if you chose to.  And some of the measurements are going to be determined by your individual taste, for example 2 cups of mozzerella cheese (in the last one) might be more or less than you want.  But this is one that you can have fun with, and you might already have most or all of the ingredients on hand.  I store mine in a ziploc bag, and it can also be kept in the freezer to keep it a littler fresher.  You can also vary the spices a little, experiment and have fun.