Description
This Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza Pie features a thick, golden crust filled with layers of mozzarella cheese, Italian sausage, pepperoni, vegetables, and rich pizza sauce. The dough is homemade from scratch and baked to bubbly perfection for a hearty, satisfying pizza experience perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp)
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
Filling
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1 can (15 oz) pizza sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp dried basil
Toppings and Finishing
- 1/4 cup melted butter (for brushing)
- 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and olive oil. Add the yeast mixture and stir until a dough forms. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan or a similarly sized baking dish thoroughly.
- Roll Dough: Roll out the risen dough to fit the pan, making sure to leave some excess dough hanging over the edges to seal the filling later.
- Assemble Filling: Layer the bottom of the crust evenly with mozzarella cheese, then add cooked sausage, pepperoni slices, diced bell pepper, and onion. Pour the pizza sauce over the top and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, and basil for added flavor.
- Seal and Prepare for Baking: Fold the excess dough edges over the top of the filling to seal the pie completely. Brush the dough with melted butter, and optionally with a beaten egg to achieve a beautiful golden finish.
- Baking: Bake the stuffed deep dish pizza pie in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese inside is bubbly and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your hearty stuffed pizza pie!
Notes
- For a crispier crust, you can pre-bake the dough for 5–7 minutes before adding the filling.
- Feel free to substitute Italian sausage with ground beef or turkey for a different protein option.
- You can add extra veggies such as mushrooms or olives according to your preference.
- Using an egg wash helps achieve a shiny, golden crust but is optional.
- Make sure the sausage is fully cooked before adding to avoid undercooked meat in the pie.
