Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza Pie
Savour the ultimate comfort food: Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza Pie loaded with ground beef, bell peppers, mozzarella, and zesty pizza sauce.
Personal Story Behind the Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza Pie
When I first stumbled upon this Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza Pie recipe, I was knee-deep in pizza crust experiments, determined to craft the ultimate comfort food for my weekly pizza night ritual. My family had grown tired of the thin-crust routine, and I was craving a heartier, more satisfying bite. After a few culinary mishaps (read: dough everywhere but in the pan), this glorious dish was born. It’s a love letter to gooey cheese, tangy pizza sauce, and that heavenly deep-dish crunch. Now, every time I make it, it brings back memories of laughter-filled kitchen sessions and that first, glorious, cheese-pull moment that always wows the crowd.
Unique Selling Points of this Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza Pie
Let me break it down for you because this isn’t just any pizza. It’s the hero of pizza nights, the champion of deep-dish dreams:
- Ultimate Comfort Food: This pizza pie isn’t shy. It’s a double-decker feast that delivers serious comfort and full-belly satisfaction.
- Perfectly Layered: Juicy ground beef, melty mozzarella, zesty pizza sauce, and a pillowy, golden crust – layer after glorious layer.
- Fully Customisable: Pepperoni? Mushrooms? Jalapeños? It’s your canvas, your toppings kingdom.
- No-Fuss Dough: Store-bought or homemade – whatever works for you!
- Cheese-Lovers’ Delight: That final layer of mozzarella and cheddar seals the deal – creamy, stretchy, and oh-so-decadent.
Ingredients Notes
Before we start flinging dough, let’s get acquainted with the VIPs of this recipe:
- Pizza Dough: Go for store-bought if you’re in a rush, or homemade if you’re feeling ambitious. The dough is the edible throne for this pizza pie.
- Ground Beef: Juicy, savoury, and full of flavour – the beef is the hearty backbone of this dish.
- Veggies: Onion and bell pepper add crunch and sweetness, balancing the rich meaty filling.
- Spices: Italian seasoning and garlic powder bring a savoury depth that’s simply irresistible.
- Cheese: Mozzarella is the star – gooey, melty perfection. Cheddar adds a hint of sharpness, if you fancy.
- Pizza Sauce: Store-bought or homemade – just make sure it’s robust and tangy.
- Toppings: Pepperoni, mushrooms, jalapeños – the final flourish that makes this dish truly yours.
How to Make Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza Pie – Step-by-Step
Alright, let’s turn this culinary dream into reality:
1️⃣ Sauté the Filling
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a trusty skillet, cook the ground beef with the onion and bell pepper over medium heat. Let it sizzle until the beef is beautifully browned and the veggies are tender. Don’t rush this part – this is where the magic begins! Drain the fat (no one wants a soggy pizza). Stir in garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and half the pizza sauce. Let it all mingle for 3–5 minutes, then take it off the heat.
2️⃣ Prep the Pan and Dough
Grease up your deep cake pan or cast iron skillet like you’re buttering up an old friend. Roll out the pizza dough and carefully press it into the pan, making sure it climbs up the sides like a warm hug for all that cheesy goodness to come.
3️⃣ Layer the Love
Layer half the shredded mozzarella at the bottom – this ensures gooeyness in every bite. Spoon in the beef mixture, sprinkle on the cheddar (if using – but come on, live a little!), and finish with the rest of the mozzarella. Each layer is a promise of deliciousness.
4️⃣ Top it Off
Spoon the remaining pizza sauce on top like a painter’s final brushstroke. Add your pepperoni slices and any other toppings you fancy – jalapeños for a fiery kick or mushrooms for an earthy twist.
5️⃣ Bake to Perfection
Slide that beauty into the oven and bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes. You’re looking for a golden, crunchy crust and cheese that bubbles with pure joy.
6️⃣ Let it Rest & Serve
Here’s the hard part: let it rest for 10 minutes. This helps the filling set and prevents molten cheese burns (trust me). Slice and serve while it’s still warm and gooey – it’s pizza night perfection!
Storage Options
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Pop slices into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes until everything’s warm and gooey again. You can also freeze it: wrap slices individually in foil and stash them in the freezer for up to a month. For the best results, reheat directly from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes – dinner in a flash!
Variations & Substitutions
This Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza Pie is your canvas, so let your culinary creativity run wild!
- Meat Swap: Don’t fancy beef? Swap it for ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian twist.
- Veggie Boost: Add spinach, olives, or artichokes for a Mediterranean vibe.
- Cheese Play: Try fontina, provolone, or even a smoky gouda – your taste buds will thank you.
- Saucy Secrets: Homemade tomato sauce with a pinch of sugar and fresh basil takes it up a notch.
- Crust Customisation: Whole-wheat dough or gluten-free dough both work a treat if you’re feeling health-conscious (or have dietary needs).
Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza Pie
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough either store-bought or homemade
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup diced bell pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup pizza sauce divided
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
- ½ cup pizza sauce reserved for topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese reserved for topping
- Pepperoni slices for topping
- Sliced jalapeños or mushrooms optional, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion and diced bell pepper until the meat is browned and the vegetables are tender. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Stir in the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and ½ cup of the pizza sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, then remove it from the heat.
- Grease a deep cake pan or cast iron skillet. Roll out the pizza dough and carefully press it into the pan, ensuring the dough extends up the sides to form a deep dish crust.
- Evenly layer half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on the bottom of the prepared crust. Top the cheese layer with the cooked beef mixture, then add the shredded cheddar cheese (if using), followed by the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Spoon the remaining ½ cup of pizza sauce evenly over the top layer of cheese. Arrange the pepperoni slices and any additional toppings, such as sliced jalapeños or mushrooms, as desired.
- Bake the pizza uncovered for approximately 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Allow the pizza to rest for 10 minutes prior to slicing and serving.
