Spaghetti Pizza
Wow....it's been a busy couple of weeks around here. It is summer after all.....being busy shouldn't surprise me, but I feel kind of like I got ambushed. It's now Sunday after the Cowgirl Swank Classic and I'm just now feeling back to normal. A few days in 100 degree heat will definitely wear a person out!
The Cowgirl Swank Classic was a success again this year. We had 13 teams of ladies competing in the 5 standard WRRA (Women's Ranch Rodeo Association) events: Sorting, Doctoring, Trailer Loading, Tie Down/Mugging, and Calf Branding. It was definitely a memorable rodeo weekend!
I've been struggling with fatigue this week plus Stone got sick. I ended up taking him to Rapid City to the doctor. Turns out he had double ear infections! I consider us lucky that he is almost 6 years old and this is his first run-in with that icky stuff. Of course he came down sick the day Western Horseman planned to come down to our place to interview me and take pictures for their segment "Women of the West". I couldn't believe my luck. However, it ended up working out. The gals from WH were super to work with. We improvised and met at the fairgrounds in Rapid City instead. It wasn't what I envisioned for the interview (I didn't get to show them our place and Doc didn't get to be in the pictures), but all in all.....it was great! I was so honored to be interviewed and to spend some time with them. They may end up coming back up sometime and then they will make it out to our place hopefully.
We are finishing up our wheat harvest here. Shane has been helping out as much as possible so I haven't seen him much the past few days. My brother and his two boys came yesterday so Stone is getting some good cousin time in. Wyatt (my brother) is going to help me with Doc in a bit. I've been practicing sorting steers. I didn't feel we did that great last weekend in that event so I can use all the help I can get. Wyatt is involved in Reined Cow Horse events so he knows more about that aspect than anyone I know around here. I'm glad for his advice.
As far as cooking.....this summer has been difficult. It's been long days and late nights. I made Pasta and Beef with Whiskey Cream Sauce at 10 pm the other night. I'm not a lover of frozen pizza and things like that so I figured I may as well make something good.....plus we've had leftovers for two days now (not Shane's favorite thing, but even he hasn't complained.....we are busy)!
A couple of weeks ago I made Spaghetti Pizza and I've had it on my list to blog about. I've made this recipe since high school. In fact, I make it from memory. I've never had a written recipe that I know of. Typing this out for you all is proving to be a challenge, but here goes:
Spaghetti Pizza
1 ½ lbs. ground beef
1 Onion, chopped
1 TB Oregano
1 TB Basil
1 TB Italian Seasoning
1 TB Seasoning Salt
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 jar of Spaghetti Sauce (or make your own as I do. I use Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, Red Wine, Sugar, and Italian Seasonings)
Spaghetti, cooked
Pepperoni, sliced
Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
Parsley
Bring water to a boil and cook Spaghetti. I use about two handfuls (sorry I’m not more specific, but that’s how I handle spaghetti). Brown the ground beef. Add onion and seasonings as it is browning (adding more seasonings if necessary). Drain the grease off. When the spaghetti is done al dente, drain the water. Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Place the cooked spaghetti in the bottom of the pan.
Make sure that it covers the bottom and fills the pan up about ¼ of the way. Next add the ground beef making sure all the spaghetti is covered. Pour the Spaghetti Sauce over the meat. You can also mix the meat in with the sauce before you put it on the Spaghetti (I did it this way this time).
Layer the top of the Spaghetti Sauce with Pepperoni.
Use as much Pepperoni as you like (I put it on pretty thick). Next cover the dish with shredded Mozzarella Cheese.
Sprinkle some Parsley one for color. Put the pan in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and it starts to turn brown. Remove from the oven. Let cool for 10-15 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.
This dish is delicious and it truly gets better as it sits. I've made it using half ground beef and half ground pork sausage. I've also made it using various "pizza" toppings. Any way you make it.....it's super! I hope you give it a try! ~Cheyenne