Description
This Hearty Pizza Pie recipe features a homemade deep-dish crust filled with a savory ground beef or Italian sausage mixture, layered with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, fresh vegetables, and pepperoni. The crust is soft yet crisp, complemented by a rich, saucy filling and gooey cheese toppings. Perfect for a satisfying family meal, this recipe takes about 1 hour 50 minutes from start to finish and serves six people.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup cheddar cheese (optional)
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms
- ½ cup sliced green bell peppers or jalapeños
- Pepperoni slices
For the Toppings:
- Additional shredded mozzarella cheese
- Extra pepperoni and vegetables for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a small bowl, combine warm water and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture is foamy, indicating that the yeast is activated.
- Make Dough Mixture: In a large bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then stir until a cohesive dough forms.
- Knead and Rise: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place it in a bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until it doubles in size.
- Cook the Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once fully browned, drain any excess fat. Stir in the pizza sauce and cook for another 5 minutes to blend flavors. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to preheat while you assemble the pizza.
- Shape the Dough: Roll out the risen dough on a floured surface into a large circle. Press it evenly into a greased deep-dish pizza pan or pie dish, ensuring the edges come up the sides.
- Layer the Pizza: Start with a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese on the bottom of the crust, then spoon the cooked meat sauce over it. Add the sliced mushrooms and green bell peppers or jalapeños, sprinkle the cheddar cheese if using, and then add more mozzarella.
- Add Toppings: Arrange pepperoni slices evenly on top, then sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese over everything for a cheesy finish.
- Bake: Bake the assembled pizza pie in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and starting to brown.
- Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing into wedges. Garnish with extra pepperoni and vegetables if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute Italian sausage for ground beef or vice versa depending on your flavor preference.
- Allowing the dough to rise fully ensures a light and tender crust.
- Using a deep-dish pan helps achieve a hearty, filling pizza pie with thicker crust and layers.
- Feel free to customize toppings such as adding olives, onions, or different types of cheese.
- Letting the pizza cool slightly before slicing helps prevent the filling from spilling out.
