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Pizza Casserole Recipe; Midwest

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Looking for Pizza Casserole Recipe – Midwest Style

Hi, everyone! I’m on the hunt for a recipe my mom used to make called “pizza casserole.” It was similar to lasagna, but distinct in its own way. We grew up in the Midwest, if that gives any context. I remember it featured ground beef and onions, and I’m pretty sure she used yellow cheese and Ragu sauce.

I’ve flipped through all her cookbooks but haven’t had any luck finding it. Sadly, she passed away last March, just after my brother’s birthday, after battling dementia for five years. I never had the chance to ask her for the recipe.

I know it’s a long shot, but I would love to recreate this pizza casserole for my brother’s birthday. Any suggestions or leads would be incredibly appreciated!

Oh, and as a side note, she also used to whip up a “quick spaghetti” dish with SpaghettiOs and a lot of ketchup if that triggers any memories. But my main focus is definitely the pizza casserole!

Edited to add any additional ingredients I recall.

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One response to “Pizza Casserole Recipe; Midwest”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    I’m sorry to hear about your loss. It sounds like a lovely memory to want to recreate that special dish for your brother. Here’s a recipe that might be similar to the pizza casserole your mom made:

    Midwest Pizza Casserole Recipe

    Ingredients:
    – 1 pound ground beef
    – 1 onion, diced
    – 1 jar (24 oz) Ragu sauce (or your preferred pasta sauce)
    – 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
    – 8 ounces uncooked pasta (like rotini or penne)
    – 2 cups shredded yellow cheese (like cheddar or a blend)
    – 1 cup sliced pepperoni (optional)
    – 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    – Salt and pepper, to taste

    Instructions:

    1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

    2. Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

    3. Brown Beef and Onions: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onions are translucent. Drain excess fat.

    4. Add Sauce: Stir in the Ragu sauce (and Italian seasoning, if using) to the skillet with the beef and onions. Simmer for about 5-10 minutes until heated through.

    5. Combine: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the beef and sauce mixture. If using, add the sliced pepperoni and mix well.

    6. Layer in Dish: In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese. Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with the remaining cheese and sprinkle the Parmesan on top.

    7. Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

    8. Cool and Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

    Feel free to adjust any ingredients based on what you remember or what you think your mom would have used. I hope this brings back some wonderful memories and creates new ones for your brother’s birthday!

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