Description
This indulgent deep-dish “pie” layers three kinds of savory meat—seasoned ground beef, Italian sausage, and classic pepperoni—beneath mounds of mozzarella and tangy pizza sauce, all wrapped in a buttery, golden-brown crust. It’s the ultimate comfort-food mashup of burger, sausage roll, and pepperoni pizza in one spectacular skillet bake.
Ingredients
For the Crust
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1¼ lb (≈560 g) refrigerated or homemade pizza dough (enough to line a 10″ cast-iron skillet or deep-dish pan)
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2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for brushing crust)
For the Meat Filling
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8 oz (225 g) ground beef
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8 oz (225 g) sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
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1 tbsp olive oil
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½ medium onion, finely chopped
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tsp dried oregano
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1 tsp dried basil
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½ tsp red-pepper flakes (optional)
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Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For Assembly
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1 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
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2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup shredded Parmesan or Pecorino Romano
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20–24 slices pepperoni
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Fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the pan & dough:
Preheat your oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Lightly oil a 10″ cast-iron skillet or deep-dish baking pan. On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll the dough into a rough 12″ circle. Carefully press it into the skillet, letting the edges drape over the rim; trim excess dough or fold under to create a ½″ crust lip.
2️⃣ Brown the meats:
In a medium skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add onion and sauté 2–3 minutes until translucent. Add garlic, cook 30 seconds more. Crumble in ground beef and sausage, season with oregano, basil, red-pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until no pink remains and liquid has mostly evaporated, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
3️⃣ Layer the cheese:
Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella evenly across the bottom of the dough.
4️⃣ Add the meat:
Spoon the browned meat mixture over the cheese, distributing it in an even layer.
5️⃣ Sauce & pepperoni:
Dollop or spread the pizza sauce over the meat. Arrange pepperoni slices in a single layer atop the sauce.
6️⃣ Top with cheese:
Cover the pepperoni with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and then the Parmesan.
7️⃣ Seal & brush crust:
Fold the overhanging dough toward the center to partially enclose the filling, leaving the center exposed. Brush the crust all over with melted butter.
8️⃣ Bake:
Place the skillet on a baking sheet (to catch any drips) and bake 25–30 minutes, until the crust is deep golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
9️⃣ Rest & garnish:
Let the pie rest 5–10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, slice into wedges, and serve warm.
Notes
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Make-Ahead: Assemble up to step 7, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Brush with butter just before baking.
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Crust Variations: For extra richness, mix 1 tsp garlic powder and 1 tbsp grated Parmesan into the melted butter before brushing.
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Sauce Swap: Use a spicy arrabbiata sauce or BBQ sauce for a different flavor profile.
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Cheese Blend: Stir in provolone or smoked mozzarella for smoky depth.
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Gluten-Free Option: Press a gluten-free pizza crust into the skillet and follow the same layering steps.
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Freezer-Friendly: Bake fully, cool, then wrap the skillet (or slices) tightly and freeze up to 1 month. Reheat at 350 °F until warmed through.
Enjoy the ultimate savory pie that’s hearty enough for dinner and fun enough for game day!
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 30 min