Deep Hamburger Sausage & Pepperoni Pie: The Ultimate Meat Lover’s Dream!
Sometimes, a regular pizza just won’t cut it. Sometimes, you need a meal that’s truly substantial, deeply comforting, and bursting with rich, savory flavors. That’s where our Deep Hamburger Sausage & Pepperoni Pie steps in – a magnificent creation that’s less a “pie” and more a glorious, layered masterpiece of meat, cheese, and a hint of zesty sauce, all encased in a tender crust.
Imagine sinking your teeth into a generous slice: a perfectly baked crust yielding to layers of seasoned ground beef, crumbled Italian sausage, and spicy pepperoni, all bound together with a luscious tomato sauce and blankets of gooey, melted mozzarella. Every bite is an explosion of texture and taste, delivering that satisfying, hearty goodness you crave.
This isn’t just dinner; it’s an event. It’s the kind of dish that brings smiles to faces, fills hungry bellies, and quickly becomes a highly requested favorite. Perfect for a casual weekend dinner, a game night, or whenever you need a serious dose of comfort food, this Deep Hamburger Sausage & Pepperoni Pie is surprisingly straightforward to make, yielding truly spectacular results.
Ready to build your new favorite savory sensation? Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients (Serves 6-8):
Main Meats & Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping, if desired)
- ½ pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio recommended for flavor)
- ½ pound Italian sausage (mild or hot, casings removed if links)
- 4 ounces sliced pepperoni (about 1 cup)
For the Crust:
- 1 package (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough (like Pillsbury, for ease)
- Or your favorite homemade pizza dough recipe
For the Sauce:
- 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- A pinch of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Other:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- ½ cup finely diced green bell pepper (optional)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for mixing into meat and topping)
Equipment:
- Large skillet
- 9-inch deep-dish pie plate or a 9-inch springform pan
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Meats:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage together, breaking them up with a spoon as they cook.
- Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the diced onion and green bell pepper (if using) and cook for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Make the Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Stir well and set aside.
3. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease your 9-inch deep-dish pie plate or springform pan with olive oil.
- Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough. Carefully press the dough into the prepared pan, extending it up the sides to create a deep crust. If using a springform pan, make sure the dough reaches at least 2 inches up the sides. You can lightly crimp the edges if desired.
4. Assemble the Pie:
- Sprinkle about ½ cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the bottom of the prepared crust.
- Spoon half of the cooked meat mixture (hamburger and sausage) over the cheese layer.
- Next, arrange half of the pepperoni slices over the meat.
- Spoon half of the tomato sauce evenly over the pepperoni.
- Sprinkle another ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Repeat the layers: remaining meat mixture, remaining pepperoni slices, remaining tomato sauce, and finally, the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Finish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese over the very top.
5. Bake to Perfection:
- Place the deep-dish pie plate or springform pan on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips).
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned on top. If the crust edges are browning too quickly, you can loosely tent with foil.
6. Rest and Serve:
- This is important! Remove the pie from the oven and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the internal layers to set, making for cleaner slices and preventing the cheese from oozing out excessively.
- Carefully release from the springform pan if using, or slice directly in the pie plate.
- Serve hot and prepare for a chorus of “Mmmms!”
This Deep Hamburger Sausage & Pepperoni Pie is truly a showstopper. It’s robust, incredibly flavorful, and provides that ultimate hearty satisfaction that only a truly great “pie” can deliver. Enjoy every incredible bite!