This Deep Hamburger Beef Sausage & Pepperoni Pie is a hearty, cheesy dinner that combines the best parts of a loaded meat pizza with the comfort of a deep-dish savory pie.
A thick crust is filled with seasoned ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, rich pizza sauce, and plenty of mozzarella and cheddar. Everything bakes together until the crust is golden, the cheese is melted, and the filling is hot and bubbling.
It is especially good for family dinners, game day, weekend comfort food, potlucks, parties, or any time you want something more substantial than a regular pizza.
The recipe is also easy to customize with extra vegetables, different cheeses, or your favorite pizza toppings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Loaded with meat. Ground beef, sausage, and pepperoni make it extra hearty.
Deep-dish style. The thick crust holds plenty of filling.
Cheesy and comforting. Mozzarella and cheddar melt throughout the pie.
Family-friendly. It combines familiar pizza flavors in a fun presentation.
Great for parties. Thick slices are easy to serve.
Easy to customize. Add mushrooms, peppers, onions, olives, or jalapeños.
Make-ahead friendly. The meat filling can be prepared in advance.
Ingredients
Meat Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced, optional
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 2 cups thick pizza sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, optional
Cheese
- 2½ cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
Crust
- 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal, optional
Optional Toppings
- Extra pepperoni
- Sliced mushrooms
- Black olives
- Jalapeños
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley
Ingredient Notes
Ground Beef
Ground beef around 85–90% lean works well.
If the beef is very fatty, drain excess grease after browning.
Ground beef should reach 160°F.
Italian Sausage
Mild Italian sausage keeps the pie family-friendly.
Hot Italian sausage works well if you want more spice.
Cook sausage thoroughly before assembling.
Pepperoni
Standard sliced pepperoni works perfectly.
You can use mini pepperoni if you prefer smaller pieces throughout the filling.
Pizza Sauce
Use a thick pizza sauce rather than watery marinara.
A thicker sauce helps keep the crust from becoming soggy.
Pizza Dough
Refrigerated pizza dough makes the recipe easy.
Homemade pizza dough can also be used.
How to Make Deep Hamburger Beef Sausage & Pepperoni Pie
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to:
400°F
Lightly grease a deep pie dish, springform pan, or deep cast-iron skillet.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef.
Cook while breaking it apart until browned.
Step 3: Add the Sausage
Add the Italian sausage.
Continue cooking until both meats are fully cooked.
Ground beef and sausage should reach at least 160°F.
Step 4: Drain Excess Grease
Carefully drain excess fat from the skillet.
Leave a small amount behind for flavor.
Step 5: Add Onion and Pepper
Add:
- Diced onion
- Optional bell pepper
Cook for:
4–5 minutes
until slightly softened.
Step 6: Add Garlic
Stir in minced garlic.
Cook for:
30 seconds.
Step 7: Season the Filling
Add:
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
Stir well.
Step 8: Add Pizza Sauce
Stir in:
- Pizza sauce
- Tomato paste
- Optional Worcestershire sauce
Simmer for:
3–5 minutes
until thick.
Step 9: Add Pepperoni
Stir in most of the pepperoni.
Reserve a few slices for the top.
Step 10: Prepare the Crust
Roll the pizza dough into a circle large enough to cover the bottom and sides of your deep pan.
Lightly sprinkle the pan with cornmeal if desired.
Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides.
Step 11: Add Cheese
Sprinkle approximately:
1 cup mozzarella
over the bottom of the crust.
This helps create a barrier between the sauce and dough.
Step 12: Add Meat Filling
Spoon the beef, sausage, and pepperoni mixture into the crust.
Spread evenly.
Step 13: Add Remaining Cheese
Top with:
- Remaining mozzarella
- Cheddar
- Parmesan
Step 14: Add Pepperoni
Arrange reserved pepperoni slices over the cheese.
Step 15: Brush the Crust
Brush exposed crust edges lightly with olive oil.
Step 16: Bake
Bake for approximately:
25–35 minutes
until:
- Crust is golden
- Cheese is melted
- Filling is bubbling
If the crust browns too quickly, loosely cover the edges with foil.
Step 17: Rest
Remove from the oven.
Let the pie rest for:
10–15 minutes.
This is important because the filling needs time to set.
Step 18: Slice and Serve
Cut into thick wedges.
Serve warm with extra pizza sauce if desired.
Expert Tips for the Best Deep Meat Pie
Drain the meat well. Too much grease can make the crust soggy.
Use thick pizza sauce. Watery sauce can weaken the crust.
Add cheese under the meat. It creates a helpful moisture barrier.
Don’t overfill. Leave a little room at the top for cheese and bubbling sauce.
Use a deep pan. A shallow pie plate may overflow.
Rest before slicing. Cutting immediately can cause the filling to spill out.
Bake until the crust is deeply golden. The thick bottom needs enough time to cook through.
Delicious Variations
Supreme Deep-Dish Meat Pie
Add:
- Mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Black olives
- Onions
Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza Pie
Replace some pepperoni with cooked bacon.
Use cheddar and mozzarella.
Spicy Pepperoni Sausage Pie
Add:
- Hot Italian sausage
- Jalapeños
- Red pepper flakes
- Pepper Jack
Meat Lovers Deep-Dish Pie
Add:
- Ground beef
- Sausage
- Pepperoni
- Bacon
- Ham
Mushroom Beef Sausage Pie
Add sautéed mushrooms to the meat mixture.
Extra-Cheesy Pizza Pie
Increase mozzarella and add provolone.
BBQ Meat Pie
Replace pizza sauce with barbecue sauce and use cheddar cheese.
Stuffed-Crust Version
Place cheese sticks around the outer edge of the dough.
Fold the dough over them and seal before filling.
What to Serve With It
Because this pie is rich and filling, simple sides work best:
- Green salad
- Caesar salad
- Roasted broccoli
- Garlic bread
- Steamed vegetables
- Coleslaw
- Pickles
- Antipasto salad
For game day, serve smaller slices alongside wings, dips, and garlic knots.
Make Ahead & Meal Prep
The meat filling can be prepared up to:
2 days ahead.
Cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container.
When ready to bake:
- Prepare the crust.
- Add cheese.
- Add cold or gently reheated filling.
- Top with more cheese.
- Bake as directed.
If the filling is very cold, the pie may need a few extra minutes in the oven.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container for approximately:
3–4 days.
Freezer
Individual slices freeze well.
Allow the pie to cool completely.
Wrap slices tightly and place in a freezer-safe container.
Oven Reheating
Reheat at:
350°F
until hot and the crust is crisp again.
Air Fryer
Individual slices can be reheated in the air fryer until hot and crisp.
Microwave
The microwave works for quick reheating but will soften the crust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use only ground beef?
Yes. Replace the sausage with additional ground beef.
Can I use only sausage?
Yes. Italian sausage alone works well.
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Absolutely.
Why is my crust soggy?
The meat may not have been drained well, the sauce may have been too thin, or the pie may need longer baking.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes. Mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, and jalapeños all work.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Prepare the meat filling ahead and assemble shortly before baking.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Individual baked slices freeze particularly well.
Can I use a cast-iron skillet?
Yes. A deep cast-iron skillet is excellent for this recipe.
Can I add bacon?
Absolutely. Cook the bacon first and add it to the filling.
How long should the pie rest before slicing?
Give it at least 10–15 minutes for cleaner slices.
Printable Deep Hamburger Beef Sausage & Pepperoni Pie Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Rest Time: 10–15 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: 6–8
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups pizza sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2½ cups mozzarella
- 1 cup cheddar
- ½ cup Parmesan
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Grease a deep pie dish or skillet.
- Brown ground beef and sausage.
- Cook until meat reaches 160°F.
- Drain excess grease.
- Add onion and cook 4–5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Stir in seasonings.
- Add pizza sauce and tomato paste.
- Simmer 3–5 minutes.
- Stir in most of the pepperoni.
- Roll pizza dough and press into pan.
- Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella over crust.
- Add meat filling.
- Top with remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
- Add reserved pepperoni.
- Brush crust edges with olive oil.
- Bake 25–35 minutes.
- Rest 10–15 minutes.
- Slice and serve.
Final Thoughts
Deep Hamburger Beef Sausage & Pepperoni Pie is the kind of hearty dinner that brings together pizza, casserole, and savory pie in one dish.
Ground beef and Italian sausage make the filling substantial, pepperoni gives it classic pizza flavor, and layers of mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan create the gooey cheese pull that makes this recipe especially satisfying.
It is ideal for game day or family dinners because one deep pie can feed several people and the filling can easily be prepared ahead.
For the best results, brown and drain the meat thoroughly, use a thick pizza sauce, place cheese under the filling to protect the crust, use a truly deep pan, and let the pie rest before slicing so the layers stay together.