Beef Pizza Pie Recipe

Try This Juicy Beef Pizza Pie Recipe for Dinner Tonight

Savory beef pizza pie blends comfort with culinary creativity in a mouthwatering dish that breaks traditional pizza boundaries.

Layers of seasoned ground meat nestle between crispy pastry edges.

Melted cheese creates a golden blanket over robust beef flavors.

Mediterranean spices dance through each delectable bite, promising an unforgettable meal.

Crisp crust and rich fillings combine for a sensational experience that challenges typical pizza expectations.

Unexpected textures and bold ingredients make you crave every single slice.

Challenge your kitchen skills and surprise everyone at the table with this delightful fusion of classic ingredients.

Pizza Pie FAQs

  • Can I use a different type of meat instead of ground beef?

Yes, ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives work great in this recipe. Just ensure the meat is fully cooked and seasoned well.

  • Is this pizza pie suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! You can make this pie ahead of time and reheat it in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 350F. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

  • What if I don't have a pie dish?

You can use a regular round baking pan or even a cast-iron skillet. The key is to have a similar-sized cooking vessel that can go from stovetop to oven.

  • How spicy is this pizza pie with red pepper flakes?

The recipe has a mild kick. If you prefer less heat, reduce the red pepper flakes or omit them completely. For more heat, add extra flakes or a dash of hot sauce.

Beef Pizza Pie That’s All Kinds of Comforting

  • Transforms traditional pizza into a hearty, comforting pie that pleases everyone at the table with minimal kitchen stress.
  • Requires only 30 minutes total cooking time, making it perfect for busy weeknights when hunger strikes and patience runs low.
  • Allows endless topping variations to satisfy different taste preferences, letting each family member create their dream pizza pie experience.
  • Uses simple, affordable ingredients like ground beef and pre-made pie crust, delivering restaurant-quality flavor without breaking the bank.

Everything You’ll Need for This Meaty Pizza Pie

Meat Base:
  • Ground Beef: Rich protein source, forms the hearty foundation of the pizza pie.
  • Onion: Adds savory depth and aromatic flavor to the meat mixture.
Cheese and Dairy:
  • Mozzarella Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, provides creamy texture and classic pizza flavor.
Crust and Sauce:
  • Pie Crust: Provides a crispy, flaky base for the pizza pie.
  • Pizza Sauce: Delivers classic tomato flavor and moisture to the filling.
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic: Intense aromatic that boosts overall savory profile.
  • Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that adds traditional pizza taste.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Provides optional heat and subtle spiciness.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall flavor.
Optional Toppings:
  • Pepperoni, Olives, Vegetables: Customizable additions for extra texture and taste.
Garnish:
  • Dried Oregano: Fragrant herb that adds final authentic pizza touch.
Cooking Essentials:
  • Olive Oil: Used for greasing the pie dish, prevents sticking.

Steps to Make a Pizza Pie with a Twist

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375F and grab a 9-inch pie dish. Give the dish a quick olive oil massage to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Craft The Perfect Crust

Gently roll out your pie crust and nestle it into the prepared dish. Trim any wild edges and give the borders a playful crimp for that homemade charm.

Step 3: Brown The Beef Sensation

In a sizzling skillet, combine:
  • Ground beef
  • Chopped onions

Cook until the beef transforms into a rich golden brown and onions turn soft and translucent. Drain any extra grease for a cleaner bite.

Stir in these flavor boosters:
  • Minced garlic
  • Pizza sauce
  • Italian seasoning
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Let the mixture simmer and develop its incredible taste profile.

Step 4: Layer The Deliciousness

Spread the beef mixture across the crust like a delectable blanket. Top generously with:
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Cheddar cheese

Feel free to add bonus toppings like pepperoni, olives, or vegetables for extra excitement.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Slide your creation into the oven and let it dance for 20-25 minutes. Watch for golden crust edges and melted, bubbly cheese that screams “eat me!”

Step 6: Finish With Flair

Pull out your masterpiece and let it rest briefly. Sprinkle dried oregano for a final aromatic touch. Slice, serve, and prepare for taste bud celebrations!

Tips for Flaky Crust and Meaty Filling

  • Customize Crust Perfectly: Use store-bought or homemade pie crust, ensuring it's rolled thin and evenly to create a crispy, golden base that complements the hearty beef filling.
  • Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove excess grease from ground beef to prevent a soggy pie and maintain a rich, concentrated flavor that won't make your crust wet or greasy.
  • Choose Cheese Wisely: Experiment with cheese blends like provolone, parmesan, or pepper jack to add depth and enhance the pizza pie's overall taste profile and meltability.
  • Control Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes and seasonings according to personal preference, balancing heat and flavor to suit different palates without overwhelming the dish.
  • Optimize Baking Time: Watch the pie closely during the last 5 minutes of baking to achieve a perfectly golden crust and bubbling cheese without burning the edges.

Best Way to Store Beef Pizza Pie

  • Store leftover beef pizza pie in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Wrap individual slices or whole pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freezes well for up to 2 months. Label with date for tracking.
  • Preheat oven to 350F. Place pizza pie slice on baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
  • Heat individual slices on microwave-safe plate for 30-45 seconds. Add extra cheese on top for moisture and enhanced flavor if desired.

Side Ideas for a Pizza Pie Night

  • Select a bold, medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the hearty beef and rich cheese flavors, cutting through the pie's richness with its tannic structure.
  • Create a light, refreshing side salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a zesty vinaigrette to balance the pizza pie's heaviness and provide a fresh contrast.
  • Add pickled jalapeños or banana peppers on the side to introduce a tangy, spicy kick that brightens the dish and adds exciting flavor complexity.
  • Choose an amber ale or hoppy IPA that can stand up to the robust beef and cheese, offering a complementary malty background that enhances the overall meal experience.

Flavorful Variations for Pizza Pie Fans

  • Vegetarian Pizza Pie: Replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat or crumbled tofu. Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini for robust flavor and texture.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free pie crust or cauliflower crust. Substitute regular pizza sauce with a certified gluten-free marinara sauce to accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • Low-Carb Pizza Pie: Swap traditional pie crust with a cauliflower or almond flour crust. Replace regular cheese with reduced-fat or dairy-free cheese alternatives for a healthier version.
  • Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Incorporate feta cheese, black olives, and spinach. Use lamb instead of beef for an authentic Mediterranean flavor profile. Add oregano and fresh mint for extra authenticity.
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Beef Pizza Pie Recipe

Beef Pizza Pie Recipe


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4.8 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Hearty beef pizza pie brings Italian-American comfort straight to dinner tables with its rich, meaty layers and golden cheese-topped crust. Melted mozzarella, seasoned ground beef, and a crispy base invite you to savor each delicious, homemade slice.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef

Cheese:

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Base and Sauce:

  • 1 pre-made pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing the pan)

Vegetables and Seasonings:

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (for garnish)

Optional Toppings:

  • ¼ cup pepperoni slices, diced (optional)
  • ¼ cup sliced olives, mushrooms, or bell peppers (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking foundation by warming the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coating a 9-inch pie dish with olive oil for smooth release.
  2. Gently unfurl the pie crust into the prepared dish, carefully trimming excess pastry and creating a decorative crimped edge for visual appeal.
  3. Activate a skillet over medium heat and introduce ground beef with diced onions, stirring continuously until meat transforms to a rich brown and onions become translucent.
  4. Enhance the meat mixture by incorporating minced garlic, tangy pizza sauce, robust Italian seasoning, fiery red pepper flakes, and balanced salt and pepper, allowing flavors to meld and intensify through gentle simmering.
  5. Transfer the aromatic beef blend into the prepared pie crust, distributing evenly to create a uniform layer of savory filling.
  6. Generously cascade mozzarella and cheddar cheese across the meat surface, optionally adorning with pepperoni, sliced olives, or chopped vegetables for personalized texture and taste.
  7. Position the assembled pizza pie into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake until cheese reaches a molten, golden state and crust achieves a delicate bronzed complexion.
  8. After removing from oven, permit the pie to rest briefly, then garnish with a sprinkle of dried oregano before slicing and serving this rustic culinary creation.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, lighter filling for the pizza pie.
  • Experiment with different cheese combinations like provolone or gouda for a more complex flavor profile.
  • Allow the beef mixture to cool slightly before adding to the pie crust to prevent soggy bottom and maintain crisp pastry texture.
  • Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier or vegetarian alternative that maintains the dish’s hearty essence.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Jamie Granger

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

  • Fusion Cuisine Development
  • Recipe Development and Food Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Content Creation
  • Nutrition and Healthy Cooking​

Education

Culinary Institute of America

  • Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation. 

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression. 

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.

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