Reader's Questions: Seeds & Recipe Search

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. ~Doug Larson

Hello, I live in Utica Michigan. I am starting plants in the house now. Did I start them too soon? Thanks for an answer! ~Keith

This is a good time of year to start seeds indoors for Zone 5, which is what we are in lower Michigan. Now is a good time to start tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, marigolds, zinnias. As soon as the soil is workable and no longer frozen you can direct sow peas, lettuce, radishes and carrots. Late in month you can start perennials like columbine, campanula, bellflower, and blanket flower inside too. By the end of the month it's usually okay to put pansy plants outside and direct sow nasturtium and sweet peas. Remember, if they predict a super cold night you should cover plants to be sure they make it okay. All the Zones above 5 can be putting out transplants of cool weather crops right now-- again, just watch the weather for unexpected cold nights.

I am looking for a recipe we learned in 4-H over 20 years ago, called "Pizza Bake." Thank you. ~Mrs. David White

I found two recipes that might be what you are looking for. They are simple and just vary slightly. You could easily swap meats in the recipes or add more meat if you wish.

Pepperoni Pizza Bake

1 pound ground beef chuck
1 medium onion, chopped or diced
1 (15 ounce) can pizza sauce
8 ounces elbow macaroni, just cooked and drained
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 (3 1/2 ounce) package pepperoni slices, quartered
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a large skillet cook the beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; Drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Transfer to a greased 2 quart baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until heated through. Serves 6.

Pizza Casserole

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef chuck
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup diced green peppers
1(4-ounce)can sliced mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 (10 -ounce) cans pizza sauce
8 ounces cooked spaghetti
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Brown the ground beef, onion, and green peppers in a skillet for abut 10 minutes. Drain the grease off and add the pizza sauce; stir. Place the mushrooms, cooked spaghetti and salt into the greased baking dish. Pour the meat sauce over the top and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the casserole is bubbling.


We have more casserole recipes, including another pizza casserole, on OFL:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/casseroles.html