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Sometimes it's fun to be creative in the kitchen! And how can you be more creative than by rediscovering a beloved classic in a whole new way?! This Surprise Pizza Casserole is a new way to enjoy an old favorite! With a tender couscous crust layered in an Italian-seasoned tomato sauce and a flavorful chicken and tender veggie combo that includes favorites such as onions, mushrooms, and spinach, all topped with a crown of melted mozzarella... well, regular old pizza just met its match! Surprise Pizza Casserole will, for lack of a better word, SURPRISE you with all the rich Italian flavors that you love from your average pizza, all wrapped up in a whole new dish!
Sometimes it's fun to be creative in the kitchen! And how can you be more creative than by rediscovering a beloved classic in a whole new way?! This Surprise Pizza Casserole is a new way to enjoy an old favorite! With a tender couscous crust layered in an Italian-seasoned tomato sauce and a flavorful chicken and tender veggie combo that includes favorites such as onions, mushrooms, and spinach, all topped with a crown of melted mozzarella... well, regular old pizza just met its match! Surprise Pizza Casserole will, for lack of a better word, SURPRISE you with all the rich Italian flavors that you love from your average pizza, all wrapped up in a whole new dish!
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil plus more, to taste, for greasing the dish
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups Moroccan couscous dry
- 1 small onion diced
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 6 big handfuls fresh baby spinach
- 2 cups chicken cooked and chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish using the extra olive oil.
- In a medium saucepan over high heat, add the water and bring to a boil.
- Add the couscous to the boiling water and stir well.
- Cover the saucepan, transfer it from the heat, and let it stand until all the liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
- Fluff the couscous with a fork.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 teaspoons of the remaining olive oil, the onion, and the cremini mushrooms and sauté until softened, about 5-8 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste to the onion mixture and stir to completely combine.
- Add the spinach and the chicken to the onion mixture and cook until the spinach just starts to wilt, about 2-3 minutes.
- Evenly spread the couscous in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the tomato sauce over the couscous.
- Spread the veggie mixture over the tomato sauce.
- Evenly sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the veggie mixture.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake, about 20-25 minutes.
- Serve.
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