Description
This Deep-Dish Pizza Pie recipe features a hearty Italian sausage and vegetable filling simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, baked in a golden, thick pizza crust, and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a comforting meal that serves 6, this dish combines savory sausage, tender bell peppers, and Italian herbs baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Sausage and Vegetable Mixture
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Crust and Topping
- 1 (10 oz) package refrigerated pizza dough
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the pizza.
- Cook Sausage and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage along with the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper until the sausage is browned and the vegetables are tender. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Simmer Sauce Mixture: Add minced garlic, drained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well and simmer this mixture for 10 minutes so the flavors meld.
- Prepare Dough: Press the refrigerated pizza dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish, forming the crust for the pie.
- Fill the Crust: Spoon the sausage and vegetable mixture carefully into the dough-lined pie dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Initial Bake: Bake the filled pie in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to cook the crust and heat the filling.
- Add Cheese and Continue Baking: Remove the pie from the oven, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, then bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the pizza pie stand at room temperature for 5 minutes to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Make sure to drain excess grease from the sausage mixture to prevent a soggy crust.
- Pressing the dough up the sides of the pie dish creates the classic deep-dish pizza look and holds the filling nicely.
- You can substitute Italian sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Add additional toppings like mushrooms or olives if desired before baking.
- Allowing the pizza to rest before slicing helps the filling set, making it easier to cut slices cleanly.
