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
- 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.
- Gently unfurl the pie crust into the prepared dish, carefully trimming excess pastry and creating a decorative crimped edge for visual appeal.
- 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.
- 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.
- Transfer the aromatic beef blend into the prepared pie crust, distributing evenly to create a uniform layer of savory filling.
- Generously cascade mozzarella and cheddar cheese across the meat surface, optionally adorning with pepperoni, sliced olives, or chopped vegetables for personalized texture and taste.
- 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.
- 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