“A favorite from WMU Davis Hall for many generations!” - submitted by the Haines family
Below is a favorite Haines family recipe based on the 1980s WMU Davis Dining Hall Pizza Casserole! My mother, Lisa Haines (B.B.A.'86), enjoyed this favorite on-campus and asked for the recipe, which she adapted into the version my family enjoys today. All five members of the Haines household attended WMU. We love this recipe and its connection to our alma mater! Recipe courtesy of the Haines family: Lisa Haines, Steve Haines, Becky Haines, Laura Haines, and Greg Haines.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. olive oil, or vegetable/cooking oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 5 celery ribs, diced
- 3.8 oz black olives, chopped fine
- 24 oz canned mushrooms, drained, chopped large
- 18 oz broad noodles (such as No Yolks® pasta)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp. garlic powder (more to taste)
- 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper (more to taste)
- 6 oz pepperoni
- 67 oz traditional Italian tomato sauce
- 8 oz freshly grated mozzarella cheese
- Optional: fresh Italian parsley and fresh Parmesan cheese, grated liberally to finish
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a large sauté pan, heat 1 tbsp. oil over medium/medium-low heat. Add onion, pepper, and celery. Sauté until tender (about 12 minutes). Once onions appear clear and celery is tender, add olives and mushrooms. Sauté for 2 additional minutes.
- While vegetables cook, bring a large pot of salted water to boil, add noodles, and cook per package directions to al dente.
- In large roasting pan or casserole dish, lightly coat with non-stick cooking spray and add sautéed vegetable mix. Using the sauté pan again, add the ground beef, season with garlic powder and black pepper, cook until browned (about 7 to 10 minutes). Add pepperoni and cook additional 2 minutes. Drain the meat, then add to large roasting pan.
- Drain the noodles, then add to roasting pan along with pasta sauce. Mix gently until well incorporated.
- Cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil and bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, mixing once halfway through.
- Remove casserole from oven, uncover, and sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over top. Bake until cheese is melted (about 5-8 minutes). Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and parsley to finish!