Description
A savory and comforting Hearty Pizza Casserole Pie combining all the classic pizza flavors into a delicious baked pie with a golden crust, sausage, pepperoni, vegetables, and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 package refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade pie dough)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing crust)
Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground sausage or Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Extra mozzarella cheese for topping (about 1/2 cup)
- Additional pepperoni slices for topping (about 1/4 cup)
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the pie crust and fit it into a deep pie dish. Brush the crust with olive oil to help create a golden, crispy texture. Pre-bake the crust for about 8 minutes to ensure it doesn’t get soggy later, then remove from the oven and set aside.
- Make the Filling: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant. This builds the foundational flavor of your filling.
- Cook the Sausage: Add the ground sausage to the skillet and cook until browned and crumbly, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain any excess fat to keep the filling from becoming greasy.
- Combine the Filling Ingredients: Stir in the pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking until the cheese starts to melt and all the ingredients are well combined, creating a rich and flavorful filling.
- Assemble the Pie: Spoon the prepared filling evenly into the pre-baked pie crust. Sprinkle extra mozzarella cheese and additional pepperoni slices on top for a melty and savory finish. If you prefer a traditional pie style, cover with another layer of pie crust, seal the edges, and cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake: Place the assembled pie in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is perfectly golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot, ensuring a fully cooked and delicious dish.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. This helps the filling to set slightly and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Use refrigerated pie crusts for convenience or homemade dough for a more personalized touch.
- Feel free to substitute sausage with ground beef or turkey for a different flavor profile.
- Add other favorite pizza toppings like olives, spinach, or different cheeses as desired.
- Pre-baking the crust is key to prevent sogginess from the filling.
- This dish is great for meal prep and reheats well.
