🍕🍖 All-American Meat Lovers' Pizza Pie Recipe 🍖🍕
This recipe is a dream for meat lovers, combining a flavorful ground beef crust with layers of gooey cheese and spicy pepperoni. A twist on traditional pizza, it’s perfect for satisfying comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef Crust:
- 1 ½ lbs (680g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio) 🥩
- 1 tsp garlic powder 🧄
- 1 tsp onion powder 🧅
- ½ tsp smoked paprika 🌶️
- 1 large egg (for binding) 🥚
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds (optional) 🥖
- Salt and black pepper to taste 🧂
For the Toppings:
- 1 cup pizza sauce 🍅
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese 🧀
- 20–25 slices pepperoni 🍖
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning 🌿
- Optional: sliced black olives, diced green peppers, or mushrooms
Instructions
1. Prepare the Ground Beef Crust
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). 🔥
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Mix gently to avoid overworking.
- Press the mixture into a 9-inch pie dish, shaping it into a crust along the bottom and sides.
2. Pre-Bake the Crust
- Place the pie dish on a baking sheet to catch any drippings.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through and slightly browned.
- Carefully drain any excess grease to keep the crust intact.
3. Add Sauce and Toppings
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over the cooked ground beef crust.
- Layer with shredded mozzarella cheese. 🧀
- Top with pepperoni slices, Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
- Add any optional toppings, such as olives, green peppers, or mushrooms, for added flavor.
4. Final Bake
- Return the pie dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
5. Cool and Serve
- Let the pizza pie cool for 5 minutes to make slicing easier.
- Serve hot with a side of garlic bread 🥖 or a crisp green salad 🥗.
Pro Tips
- 🧄 Garlic Butter Crust: Brush the crust edges (ground beef) with garlic butter before the final bake for added richness.
- 🍖 Extra Meaty: Add bacon bits or ground sausage for a meatier pie.
- 🌶️ Spice It Up: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or layer in jalapeños for a kick of heat.
- 🧀 Cheese Lovers: Mix mozzarella with provolone or cheddar for a cheesy twist.
This All-American Meat Lovers' Pizza Pie is a hearty, satisfying fusion of pizza and burger flavors, perfect for family dinners or game-day gatherings. 🍕🍔 Dig in and enjoy every savory bite! 😋
