Back in 2023, I read the novel Remarkably Bright Creatures. I enjoyed the novel so much that I suggested it for our Lit Happens Book Club and was inspired to make a Chicken with Mushrooms recipe that I shared along with my Book Review.
Earlier this year, when I saw that Netflix had turned the novel into a film starring Sally Field, I excitedly told my Movies and Munchies group, many of whom also belong to our Lit Happens group, that I would like to host in May, as the film was being released on the 8th.
I watched this film on the first evening and enjoyed it every bit as much as the novel. Sally Field does a remarkable job as Tova, a widow who lost her son during his high school years and found comfort and solace in cleaning the local aquarium after hours.
One of the creatures rescued by the aquarium is a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus, who narrated both the novel and the movie. Tova and Marcellus develop a close relationship and try to bring each other comfort and happiness.
It is a very heart-touching story, and I think the casting was well done. It is often difficult for me to enjoy a book without being disappointed by the film version. Usually, the characters I have imagined are not similar to those actors chosen, and the storyline loses a lot in translation. That was not the case with this story.
Tova injures her foot at work and ends up with a counter full of casseroles from her friends and neighbors. This inspired me to make this Pizza Casserole. Since it was our dinner and not being transported to the home of an injured friend. I baked and served it in an oven-safe skillet to cut down on cleanup.
This casserole combines all the flavors you love from pizza with noodles for a quick, easy dinner your family will enjoy.
I will be doing a round-up at the end of the month featuring the recipes the other members of Movies and Munchies were inspired to make after watching this film. Stay tuned for that. In the meantime, if you watch and enjoy the movie and would like to share a recipe that you were inspired to make and post on a blog or on Instagram, leave a comment below with a link to the recipe, and I will be happy to include you in the roundup as well.
This has been a good May to sit around watching movies. The weather has been very unpredictable, hot and sunny one day and then cold and dreary the next. We did manage to get our deck and patios powerwashed, the outdoor furniture put in place, and the pool open. I hope we get to use that pool before we leave for Greece in a couple of weeks.
On Sunday, we are meeting Jessica, Julien, Melody, Amy, and Doug at a restaurant to meet with the event manager and plan a baby shower for our newest grandson, who is due at the beginning of October. We will have dinner after the meeting. Monday, Memorial Day, we have been invited to Roz's for a casual BBQ. On Thursday, we and the Luths have a wine-tasting dinner.
Chuck arrives on Saturday, so on Sunday we are having family dinner so that he can see his siblings before we leave for Mykonos. Here is what's on the menu for the week and through the weekend before our trip.......
Saturday
Chicken Kabobs
Rice
Sunday
Out for Dinner
Monday-Memorial Day
Dinner at Roz's
Meatless Monday
Grilled Cheese Quesadillas
Tuesday
Grilled Steak Salad
Wednesday
BBQ Pork Chops
Potato Salad
Thursday
Duckhorn Wine Pairing Dinner
Fish Friday
Cod and Corn Ceviche
Saturday
Grilled Steaks
Baked Potatoes
Grilled Asparagus
Sunday-Family Dinner
Melon and Prosciutto
BBQ Ribs
Rotisserie Chicken
Deli Salads
Ice Cream
Yield: 4 servings
Pizza Casserole
This casserole combines all the flavors you love from pizza with noodles for a quick, easy dinner your family will enjoy.
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 45 Min
Ingredients
- 2 individual Italian Sausages, casings removed
- 1/2 Vidalia onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (14 oz) jar, pizza sauce or marinara
- 1 t. dried Italian herbs
- 1/2 lb. short, thick pasta, cooked per package directions
- 1 1/2 c. shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Instructions
- In a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles, until no longer pink.
- Add the onions, peppers, garlic, and mushrooms to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the onions are translucent and fragrant, and the peppers and mushrooms begin to soften.
- Add the tomatoes and sauce to the skillet and mix until combined. Remove from heat, stir in the pasta, and sprinkle with the cheese.
- Bake in a preheated 350* oven for 20-30 minutes until the cheese has melted and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
502Fat (grams)
32 gSat. Fat (grams)
14 gCarbs (grams)
25 gFiber (grams)
6 gNet carbs
19 gSugar (grams)
15 gProtein (grams)
31 gSodium (milligrams)
1697 mgCholesterol (grams)
100 mg
Property of A Day in the Life on the Farm
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