Country Comfort Pie

 
I love ground beef.  It is by far the most economical cut of meat out there right now.  It is also the most versatile meat.

The inspiration for this one came, of all places, from Kraft Kitchen's What's Cooking.  I know.  Gasp.  Kraft is the ultimate evil.  They are the masters of "add this processed product to this processed product to feel like you've made your family a home-cooked meal".  So needless to say, this recipe has been altered and adapted.  All I was really searching for was simple, comforting, hearty and kid-friendly.  This is it.  And tasty.  Don't forget tasty.

Serve this out with a slotted spatula, as there will be extra liquid on the bottom.

Total: 1 h 25 m
Serves: 6

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb lean ground beef

1 680ml can tomato sauce (read labels; avoid cans with sugar added)
1 head cauliflower
2 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp onion powder
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp and 2 tsp oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup cheddar cheese, divided (optional)

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Combine raw meat, 1/2 tomato sauce and all spices except 2 tsp oregano.  Pat into a greased 9" pie dish.  Bake, uncovered, for 1/2 hour.




Meantime, mix rest of oregano with rest of tomato sauce.  "Rice" your cauliflower in a food processor.  Mix the cauliflower into the sauce and oregano mixture.  Mix in half of the cheese.






After the 1/2 hour is up, remove from oven.  Spread the cauliflower mixture over the meat and cover with tinfoil.  Return to oven for another 35 minutes.  Uncover and sprinkle with remaining cheese, return to oven for the last 10 minutes.

If the cheese is not browning at this point, turn on the broiler for a few minutes.

Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.