Grits Italiano

1 lb Hot bulk pork sausage

1/8 ts Salt

1 1/2 lb Lean ground beef

1/8 ts Pepper

3/4 c Regular grits

1/4 ts Garlic powder

14 oz Jar pizza sauce

10 oz Shredded Cheddar cheese

1 Med. onion, chopped

1 lg Green pepper, chopped

Brown sausage and ground beef in a large skillet, stirring until it crumbles; drain well. Cook grits according to package directions; spoon into a lightly greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish. Combine pizza sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Layer half each of pizza sauce, meat, green pepper, onion, and cheese over grits. Repeat layers, omitting remaining cheese. Cover and bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes. Add remaing cheese and bake uncovered, an additional 5 minutes. 8 servings. This recipe was the first place winner in the 4-H division of the Annual Greater Grits Cook-off.