Positively Famished: Pizza in a Dish

I love to cook and I wanted to start a new series where I shared a favorite recipe with you from time to time. So many positive things can come from a great meal with family and/or friends! Hence the title of the series, "Positively Famished!"... 
I got this recipe online and I don't quite remember where.  Of course, I tweaked it a bit and made it my own, and it has always been a very popular and favorite dish.  Even my son, Tate, loves it and he is extremely picky, so I know that I am definitely on to something when he will eat it and want seconds besides!  This is definitely a twist on the traditional pasta dishes.
Pizza in a Dish

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta (I like penne)
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• 2 (or more) cups spaghetti sauce (any kind will do)
• 6-8 oz of sliced pepperoni
• 1 2.25oz can of sliced black olives, drained
• 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. In a medium-sized pot, brown ground beef with onion and garlic.
2. Add sliced pepperoni and olives, and stir.
3. Add spaghetti sauce and stir.
4. Add dry ingredients and stir well, and allow to simmer on low.
5. In the meantime, boil your pasta per package directions.
6. Drain pasta and stir into meat mixture.
7. Add shredded cheese to pasta and meat mixture, and stir until melted in.
8. Remove from heat and serve.
9. Enjoy!

Tips:

• You can also add in any of your other favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, peppers, etc.
• I like Barilla pastas; they cook to a perfect al dente.
• I also like Barilla spaghetti sauces, but Ragu is another favorite of mine.

Well, there you have it!  I hope you enjoy your Pizza in a Dish! Let me know how you like it!

Do you have a favorite recipe that you would like to share?  Well, send it to me and I will feature it on our blog.  Better yet, consider doing a guest post with us!

~Trin