Here’s a big, detailed recipe write-up for your Deep Hamburger Sausage & Pepperoni Pie 🧀🥧 with everything you asked for:
Deep Hamburger Sausage & Pepperoni Pie 🧀🥧
Introduction
If comfort food had a crown, this pie would wear it proudly. The Deep Hamburger Sausage & Pepperoni Pie combines the richness of seasoned ground beef, the smokiness of sausage, and the bold punch of pepperoni, all tucked into a golden flaky crust. Covered with melty mozzarella and cheddar (or provolone), and balanced with tangy tomato sauce, this dish is a complete feast. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy weekends—it’s hearty, flavorful, and irresistibly cheesy.
Ingredients
For the Pie
- 2 ready-bake pie crusts (about 16 oz total)
- 7 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3.5 oz shredded cheddar or provolone cheese
- 1 cup pizza or marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- ½ lb ground beef (hamburger)
- ½ lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casing removed)
- 3 oz sliced pepperoni
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme)
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter for cooking
- Salt & black pepper to taste
For Brushing & Garnish
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Crusts:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out one pie crust into a deep 9-inch pie dish. Press it gently against the edges.
- Cook the Meats & Veggies:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté until soft.
- Add ground beef and sausage. Cook until browned, breaking apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Layer the Pie Filling:
- Spread 2–3 tbsp of sauce on the bottom of the crust.
- Add half the meat mixture, then layer with mozzarella, cheddar, and a few slices of pepperoni.
- Repeat with remaining meat, sauce, cheeses, and pepperoni.
- Seal the Pie:
- Place the second crust over the filling. Trim and crimp edges to seal.
- Brush with egg wash and sprinkle lightly with Parmesan.
- Bake the Pie:
- Cut 3–4 small slits in the top for steam to escape.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Methods
- Traditional Method: As described above, baked in the oven with layered meats, cheeses, and sauce.
- Rustic Style: Instead of two crusts, make an open-faced pie (tart style) with only the bottom crust and cheese topping.
- Casserole Method: Skip the crust and bake filling in a greased casserole dish, topping with extra cheese for a crustless option.
History
Meat pies trace back to ancient Greece and Rome, where meats and cheeses were baked in dough as both sustenance and luxury. Over centuries, variations developed across Europe—like British steak & kidney pie or Italian calzone. This American-style deep dish meat pie borrows from Chicago deep-dish pizza and classic family meat pies, blending Italian flavors (pepperoni, sausage, mozzarella) with American heartiness (hamburger and cheddar).
Benefits
- Protein-packed: Beef, sausage, and cheese deliver a high-protein, filling meal.
- Family-friendly: A crowd-pleaser, perfect for picky eaters.
- Customizable: Swap meats (turkey, chicken, or veggie crumbles) or add mushrooms, olives, or jalapeños.
- One-dish meal: With meat, cheese, sauce, and crust—it’s a complete dish in itself.
Formation (Assembly Idea)
Think of this pie as a layered fortress of flavor:
- Base crust for structure.
- First layer of sauce to keep the crust from getting soggy.
- Meat mixture for hearty bite.
- Cheese & pepperoni layers for gooey richness.
- Top crust sealing in the flavors.
Nutrition (per slice, 1/8 of pie – approximate)
- Calories: ~420 kcal
- Protein: 22 g
- Carbs: 28 g
- Fat: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sodium: ~950 mg
(Varies based on ingredients and portion size.)
Lovers of This Dish ❤️
- Meat lovers – those who crave hearty, protein-heavy meals.
- Cheese lovers – mozzarella stretch and cheddar tang satisfy.
- Pizza lovers – gives the deep-dish pizza feel with a pie twist.
- Family cooks – easy, filling, and budget-friendly.
Conclusion
The Deep Hamburger Sausage & Pepperoni Pie is more than just dinner—it’s an experience. With its golden crust, layers of savory meats, gooey cheeses, and tangy sauce, every bite feels like comfort wrapped in pastry. A dish with history, versatility, and pure indulgence, it’s bound to win over hearts at your table.
Would you like me to also create a step-by-step photo-style guide (like how cookbooks show each stage of assembly), so it’s easier to follow visually?