Hearty Pizza Casserole Pie

Meet your new favorite weeknight recipe! This cheesy, saucy pizza casserole is quick to make and easy to customize with your favorite pizza toppings. Assemble this casserole the night before and have dinner on the table in 50 minutes!

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes

• Calories: Approx. 560 kcal per serving
• Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1 package refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade pie dough)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the filling:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground sausage or Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
• 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
• 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Additional toppings:

• Extra mozzarella cheese for topping
• Additional pepperoni slices for topping

Instructions:

Prepare the Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out the pie crust and fit it into a deep pie dish. Brush the crust with olive oil. Pre-bake the crust for about 8 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside.

Make the Filling:

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until translucent.
2. Add sausage and cook until browned and crumbly. Drain any excess fat.
3. Stir in pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until everything is well combined and cheese starts to melt.

Assemble the Pie:

1. Spoon the filling into the pre-baked crust. Top with additional mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices.
2. Cover with another layer of pie crust if desired, sealing the edges and cutting slits to allow steam to escape.

Bake:

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
2. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

ENJOY!!