
Description:
The Pizza Burger Pie is a delicious mash-up of two classic favorites—pizza and burgers! This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun twist on pizza night. It features seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni, all baked together in a golden crust. Think of it as a pizza inside a burger pie! The savory, cheesy layers come together for a satisfying meal that the whole family will devour. No need for pizza dough, this dish uses a simple crust that makes it all the more convenient and delicious.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (optional, but recommended)
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or use your own homemade dough)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Fresh basil (for garnish, optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch pie dish or a similar-sized baking dish.
- Cook the ground beef:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add seasoning and sauce:
- To the cooked beef, add the onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the onions have softened. Stir in the marinara sauce and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the pizza dough:
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to fit the pie dish. Carefully press the dough into the dish, ensuring it covers the bottom and sides. If there’s extra dough hanging over the edges, trim it.
- Assemble the pie:
- Layer the bottom of the dough with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Then, spoon the beef and sauce mixture over the cheese. Top with the pepperoni slices (if using) and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with dough:
- Roll out another piece of dough to cover the top of the pie, pinching the edges of the top and bottom dough together to seal. Use a knife to make a few slits in the top of the dough for venting.
- Egg wash and bake:
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg and brush it over the top of the dough for a golden, shiny finish. Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
- Cool and serve:
- Remove the pie from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before cutting into it. Garnish with fresh basil if desired, then slice and serve.
Nutrition (per serving, assuming 6 servings):
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Sugar: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
Tips for Best Results:
- Use Your Favorite Pizza Toppings: While pepperoni is a classic, feel free to add other toppings such as mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, or sausage for a more customizable dish.
- Make It Ahead: You can assemble the pie a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just bake it the next day for a quick and easy meal.
- Crust Variation: If you prefer a buttery, flaky crust, you can substitute the pizza dough with puff pastry for a different texture.
- Leftover Sauce: If you have extra marinara sauce, use it for dipping or drizzle over the pie before serving.
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