Slow cooker pizza casserole: Back-to-school night dinner made easy.

By JULIE BRINKLEY

The hustle and bustle of a new school year has arrived and you shouldn’t be stressed about dinner.

Your family will love this healthy recipe for pizza casserole, and because it’s made in a slow cooker, preparing it is a tasty cinch!

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED:

1 lb. lean ground beef or Turkey Italian sausage

1 tsp garlic powder

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tsp dried oregano leaves

1 tsp dried basil leaves

2 cups chopped fresh cauliflower

1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

2 cups low sugar marinara sauce

1 1/2 cups reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese

2 oz turkey pepperoni slices, divided

HOW TO MAKE IT

Cook ground beef in large skillet; add garlic powder, salt, and pepper

Remove from heat and drain grease.

Add dried oregano, basil, cauliflower, parmesan cheese, marinara sauce and 1 oz of turkey pepperoni that has been cut into fourths; pour into slow cooker that has been sprayed lightly with cooking spray and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.

Top with mozzarella, the rest of the turkey pepperoni and cook an additional 30 minutes on high or until the cheese has melted.