MAIN DISH: PIZZA TOPPING CASSEROLE (click here to print)

PIZZA TOPPINGS CASSEROLE
1 pound bulk Italian sausage (check ingredients for all natural no fillers)
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
4 eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup pizza sauce (recipe follows)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning and/or basil
3 1/2 ounces pepperoni, chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped (2 ounces)
8 ounces whole milk mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup red onion, slivered (1 ounce)
Crushed red pepper, optional
Brown the sausage with the mushrooms; drain the grease. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, cream, pizza sauce and seasonings in a medium bowl. Grease a 7x9" deep baking dish (or 7x12" shallow baking dish) and put in the meats, mushrooms, peppers and the mozzarella cubes. Pour in the egg mixture and mix well. Top with the red onion. Sprinkle with a little more garlic powder, Italian seasoning and a little crushed red pepper flakes, if you like. Bake at 350º for 45-55 minutes until nicely browned and a knife inserted in the center comes out almost clean. Mine still had a bit of liquid in the center but it was done. Let stand about 5 minutes before serving.
Makes 6-8 servings
Per 1/6 Recipe: 582 Calories; 50g Fat; 27g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 4g Net Carbs
Per 1/8 Recipe: 437 Calories; 38g Fat; 20g Protein; 4g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 3g Net Carbs
PIZZA SAUCE
8 ounce can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons granular Splenda or equivalent liquid Splenda
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, or to taste
Bring all of the ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan. Partially cover the pot and simmer over low heat for 1 hour.
Makes about 1 cup
Can be frozen
Per 1/4 cup: 22 Calories; trace Fat; 1g Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 4g Net Carbs
Per Batch: 86 Calories; trace Fat; 3g Protein; 19g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 16g Net Carbs

Recipe submitted by Barbara Costello Van Antwerp