Description
This Deep-Dish Pizza Pie is a hearty, savory dish featuring a golden, thick pizza crust filled with a flavorful mixture of Italian sausage, sautéed vegetables, and a rich tomato sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfectly baked to achieve a crispy crust and bubbly cheese topping, this recipe serves as a satisfying meal for family and friends.
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
- 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.
- Cook Sausage and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, chopped onion, and green and red bell peppers until the sausage is browned and the vegetables are tender. Drain any excess grease to keep the filling less oily.
- Prepare Sauce Mixture: Stir in the minced garlic, drained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes to combine flavors well.
- Prepare Dough: Press the refrigerated pizza dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish, creating a thick crust to hold the filling.
- Fill Dough with Sausage Mixture: Spoon the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture carefully into the dough-lined pie dish, spreading it evenly.
- Initial Bake: Place the filled pie dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes until the crust starts to crisp and the filling heats through.
- Add Cheese and Continue Baking: Remove the pie from the oven, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, then bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the deep-dish pizza stand for 5 minutes after baking to set before slicing and serving for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure to drain excess grease from the sausage to prevent a greasy pizza.
- You can customize the vegetables according to preference, such as adding mushrooms or olives.
- Letting the pie rest before slicing helps with cleaner slices and better flavor melding.
- Use a deep 9-inch pie dish to accommodate the thick crust and filling adequately.
