Ingredients:

1-pound bulk Italian sausage

8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced

1/4 cup pizza sauce (recipe follows)

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning and/or basil

3 1/2 ounces pepperoni, chopped

1/2 cup green pepper, chopped (2 ounces)

1lb whole milk mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes

1/2 cup red onion, slivered (1 ounce)

crushed red pepper, optional

8 ounce can tomato sauce (sauce)

2 tablespoons tomato paste (sauce)

1/2 cup water (sauce)

2 teaspoons granular Splenda or equivalent liquid Splenda (sauce)

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (sauce)

1/2 teaspoon dried basil, or to taste (sauce)

Directions:

1. Brown the sausage with the mushrooms; drain the grease. Grease a 7x9" deep baking dish (or 7x12" shallow baking dish) and put in the meats, mushrooms, peppers and the mozzarella cubes.

2. Top with the red onion. Sprinkle with a little more garlic powder, Italian seasoning and a little crushed red pepper flakes, if you like.

3. Bake at 350º for 45-55 minutes until nicely browned and a knife inserted in the center comes out almost clean. Let stand about 5 minutes before serving.

4. Sauce. Bring all of the ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan. Partially cover the pot and simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Makes about 1 cup. Can be frozen.

Bon Appetit!