The EASY Dinner I Make Before Every Trip! (Budget Friendly Family Meal)

🍕 Budget Friendly Pizza Casserole Recipe | Easy Family Dinner Before Our Road Trip! Before I head out on a road trip with my daughter Hailey, I always make sure my guys at home have meals ready so they don’t have to worry about cooking while they’re working so hard. ❤️ One thing about me — before I leave for a trip, I make sure there are lunches and dinners already made. This Pizza Casserole is one of our family favorites, and it has such a special story behind it. Years ago, when my husband and I were barely making ends meet, I wanted to encourage a friend who was going through a hard time. My husband was working on a dairy farm making only $7 an hour, I was searching for a job, and money was tight. I wanted to make her family something comforting, easy, and budget friendly, so I headed to the store and grabbed a few simple ingredients — rotini noodles, spaghetti sauce, pepperoni, and cheese. I threw together this casserole not knowing if anyone would even like it… but the next day she called me and said her whole family LOVED it and wanted the recipe! Since then, it’s been a staple in our home. Josh especially loves anything pizza, so whenever it was his turn to cook, this became his go-to recipe because it’s so simple that literally anyone can make it! 🍽️ Pizza Casserole Ingredients • 2 boxes rotini noodles – approx. $1.24 each = $2.48 • 2 bags pepperoni – approx. $2.99 each = $7.00 • 2–3 jars cheese-flavored spaghetti sauce – approx. $1.99 each = $3.98 (for 3 jars) • 1 bag Italian blend shredded cheese – approx. $4.50 • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning – approx. $0.25 • Optional add-ins: Sun-dried tomatoes – approx. $3.00 Mozzarella cheese (leftover from lasagna) – use what you have! 💰 Estimated Total Cost: $18~ $ 20 depending on sales and optional ingredients — and it feeds a crowd! Definitely a budget-friendly meal that stretches a long way. 👩‍🍳 How To Make It 1. Cook your rotini noodles, drain, and let cool. 2. Mix noodles with spaghetti sauce (add Italian seasoning if needed). 3. Layer in a casserole dish: Noodles → Cheese → Pepperoni Repeat layers and end with pepperoni on top. 4. Bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes. 5. Top with cheese and let sit for 10 minutes until melted. 6. Serve and enjoy! Seriously, this recipe is SO easy and so delicious — perfect for busy families, meal prep, or when you need something affordable that goes a long way! Thank you so much for joining me today! ❤️ 📱 Follow Our Family Adventures: Facebook:   / justthebells10   Instagram:   / justthebells10   TikTok:   / justthebells10   Beacons page: https://www.beacons.page/justthebells10  #JustTheBells10 #PizzaCasserole #BudgetMeals #EasyDinnerRecipe #FamilyMeals #LargeFamilyCooking #MealPrepIdeas #CheapMeals #ComfortFood #EasyRecipes #DinnerIdeas #BudgetFriendlyMeals #FamilyDinner #RoadTripPrep #CookingForLargeFamilies #SimpleMeals #HomemadeDinner #CasseroleRecipe #EasyFamilyMeals