This Pizza Burger Pie recipe is about to become your new family favorite. Imagine a warm, cheesy, deep-dish pizza crust overflowing with juicy ground beef, your favorite pizza toppings, and a gooey blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese. This recipe is not just easy to make, it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser – perfect for busy weeknights or fun family dinners.
Why You'll Crave This Pizza Burger Pie:
- Comfort Food Heaven: Combining the best of both worlds, this recipe brings together the familiar flavors of pizza and a juicy burger in a delightful and satisfying way.
- Easy Weeknight Meal: No fancy ingredients or complicated steps are required. This recipe comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Family-Friendly Fun: Get the whole family involved in assembling this fun and creative pizza pie. Let everyone choose their favorite toppings for a personalized dining experience.
- Gooey Cheese Paradise: A generous amount of mozzarella and cheddar cheese creates a symphony of textures and flavors that will leave everyone reaching for seconds.
Ingredients for Your Pizza Burger Pie Adventure:
The Crust:
- 2 (13.8 oz) cans refrigerated pizza dough: This recipe uses store-bought pizza dough for convenience. You can also use your favorite homemade pizza dough recipe if you prefer.
The Savory Filling:
- 1 pound ground beef: Choose lean ground beef (at least 80% lean) for a healthier option.
- Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped onion
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 3/4 cup tomato paste: This adds a rich tomato flavor to the filling.
- 4 oz sliced canned mushrooms (optional): Feel free to omit these if you're not a fan of mushrooms.
The Cheesy Goodness:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: This melty cheese adds a creamy texture and a touch of mild sweetness.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese offers a sharper flavor that perfectly complements the mozzarella.
The Flavorful Toppings:
- 1 sliced tomato: Freshly sliced tomatoes add a burst of freshness and acidity to the pizza.
- Pepperoni to taste: This classic pizza topping is a must-have for many. Load it up with your favorite toppings, or keep it simple – it's entirely up to you!
- ½ cup cooked chopped ham or bacon (optional): Chopped ham or bacon adds a salty and savory element to the pizza.
Instructions: A Step-by-Step Guide to Pizza Perfection:
Preheat Your Oven:
- Set the Stage for Baking: Turn on your oven and preheat it to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the crust cooks through evenly and the cheese melts beautifully.
Prepare the Savory Filling:
- Heat up a large skillet over medium heat. Once it's nice and hot, toss in the ground beef and cook it until it's browned all over and cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
- Season for Success: Season the cooked ground beef with the salt, pepper, chopped onion, and dried Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine.
- Create a Rich Base (Optional): Add the tomato paste to the seasoned ground beef and stir to incorporate it evenly. This step is optional but adds a deeper tomato flavor to the filling.
Assemble Your Masterpiece:
- Grease Up the Pan: Lightly grease a 9-inch or 10-inch pie pan. This prevents the crust from sticking and makes for easier removal after baking.
- Spread the First Dough Layer: Unroll one of the cans of pizza dough and gently stretch it to fit the bottom and slightly up the sides of the greased pie pan. Press the dough gently into the pan to form a secure base for your pizza burger pie.
- The Juicy Burger Layer: Place the cooked and seasoned ground beef mixture on top of the first dough layer. This layer will become the heart of your pizza burger pie.
- Cheddar Cheese Delight: Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the ground beef layer. The cheddar cheese adds a delightful sharpness and a vibrant orange color.
- Seal the Deal with the Second Dough Layer: Unroll the second can of pizza dough and stretch it slightly to cover the top of the pie. Pinch the edges of the top dough layer together with the bottom layer to create a sealed crust.
- Top it Off with Flavor: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the top dough layer. This layer adds the classic pizza tang and acidity.
- Shower with Cheesy Goodness: Generously sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the pizza sauce. Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully and adds a creamy texture.
- Time for Customization: Now comes the fun part! Add your desired amount of pepperoni slices and any other toppings you like. Diced red bell peppers, sliced green olives, or chopped pineapple are all great options for those who enjoy a more adventurous pizza experience.
Baking Bliss:
- Bake Until Golden Brown: Place your assembled pizza burger pie in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- A Touch of Bacon Magic (Optional): While the pizza is still hot, you can crumble some cooked and chopped bacon over the top for an extra burst of savory flavor. This step is entirely optional, but it adds a delightful smoky note.
Serving Suggestions:
- Slice and Savor: Once the pizza burger pie is out of the oven, let it cool slightly before slicing and serving. This allows the cheese to set and prevents it from becoming stringy.
- Pair it Up: Enjoy your pizza burger pie alongside a side salad or a plate of roasted vegetables for a balanced and satisfying meal.
- Leftover Love: If you have any leftover pizza burger pie, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give your leftover slices a second life! Warm them up in the oven or microwave until they're hot and delicious again.
Tips and Tricks:
- Pre-Cook the Ground Beef: For a quicker assembly process, pre-cook the ground beef the day before and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Don't Overwork the Dough: Avoid handling and stretching the pizza dough too much. Overhandling the dough can lead to a less enjoyable pizza crust – tough and chewy, not light and fluffy.
- Cheese It Up!: Get adventurous with your cheese! This recipe is a blank canvas – swap out the mozzarella or cheddar for other favorites to create your own unique flavor combinations. Try a blend of mozzarella and provolone cheese, or add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a sharper flavor.
- Customize It for Everyone: The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. Encourage everyone in the family to choose their favorite toppings to create a personalized pizza burger pie experience.
So ditch the ordinary and embrace the deliciousness of the Pizza Burger Pie! It's the perfect recipe to bring families together and create lasting mealtime memories.
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