Description
This Hearty Pizza Casserole Pie combines all the favorite pizza toppings baked into a comforting casserole form with a flaky pie crust. Featuring savory sausage, pepperoni, sautéed vegetables, and melted mozzarella cheese, this filling is nestled in a pre-baked pie crust and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a family-friendly dinner or casual gathering, the dish brings the joy of pizza in a satisfying pie format.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 package refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade pie dough)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)
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
Topping
- 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 it brown nicely. Pre-bake the crust for about 8 minutes to set it, then remove from the oven and set aside.
- Make the Filling: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Cook the Sausage: Add the ground sausage to the skillet and cook until fully browned and crumbly, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan to avoid greasiness.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture until everything is well combined and the cheese begins to melt, around 3-4 minutes.
- Assemble the Pie: Spoon the sausage and vegetable filling evenly into the pre-baked pie crust. Top with extra shredded mozzarella cheese and a scattering of additional pepperoni slices for that classic pizza look and taste.
- Optional Top Crust: If desired, cover with another layer of pie crust. Seal the edges by pinching and crimping, then cut slits on top 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 golden brown and the filling is bubbly and hot.
- Cool and Serve: Let the pizza casserole pie cool for a few minutes before slicing. This helps the filling to set and makes serving easier. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- You can customize the toppings by adding your favorite vegetables or different types of cheese.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage.
- If you prefer a crispier crust, pre-bake the crust a bit longer before adding the filling.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead—assemble and refrigerate, then bake when ready.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispness.
