Description
This Deep-Dish Pizza Pie recipe features a hearty Italian sausage and vegetable filling simmered in a savory tomato sauce, all baked in a crispy pizza dough crust and topped with melted mozzarella cheese for a comforting and satisfying homemade pizza experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 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
Tomato Sauce and Seasonings
- 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
Dough and Cheese
- 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 pie.
- Cook Sausage and Vegetables: In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage, chopped onion, and green and red bell peppers over medium heat until the sausage is browned and the vegetables are tender. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in the minced garlic, drained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper into the sausage mixture. Allow it to simmer for 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Prepare Dough: Press the refrigerated pizza dough into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish, forming a crust to hold the filling.
- Add Filling: Spoon the sausage and vegetable mixture evenly into the dough-lined pie dish.
- First Bake: Bake the pie for 20 minutes in the preheated oven to set the filling and crust.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the partially baked pie, then bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the deep-dish pizza stand for 5 minutes before slicing and serving to allow the filling to set.
Notes
- Drain the excess grease after cooking the sausage to prevent a soggy crust.
- You can customize the vegetables by adding mushrooms or olives if desired.
- If using homemade pizza dough, ensure it is well chilled before pressing into the pie dish.
- Allow the pizza to rest after baking for easier slicing and melty cheese texture.
