Let’s be honest—some nights you just can’t choose between pizza and a cozy casserole. And you know what? You don’t have to. Say hello to the best of both worlds: Pizza Casserole Pie. It’s saucy, cheesy, meaty, and baked into a golden pie crust that’s just the right amount of flaky and indulgent. Think of it as your favorite Friday night pizza party… baked into a comforting, sliceable pie.
This one’s for the moms juggling dinner after soccer practice, the home chefs craving something nostalgic, and yes—even the picky eaters who claim they “don’t like casseroles” (they’ll be back for seconds, promise).
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Pizza Casserole Pie
- Comfort food meets convenience – It’s like pizza and pot pie had a delicious baby.
- Family-friendly – Kids love it. Adults love it. Even your neighbor Karen will ask for the recipe.
- Make-ahead magic – Assemble it ahead of time, then pop it in the oven when you’re ready.
- Totally customizable – Pepperoni? Check. Veggies? Sure. Extra cheese? Always.
What Is Pizza Casserole Pie, Anyway?
Imagine a flaky pie crust holding all your favorite pizza toppings—simmered sausage, gooey mozzarella, savory tomato sauce, and those nostalgic pizza spices—all baked into a deep-dish masterpiece. It’s hearty like a casserole, but fun and sliceable like a pizza. You don’t need a fork and knife, but hey, no judgment if you grab both.
Ingredients at a Glance
- Pie crust – Store-bought or homemade, your choice!
- Italian sausage or ground beef – For that hearty base
- Pizza sauce or marinara – Adds that classic tangy flavor
- Mozzarella & parmesan cheese – For ultimate gooey goodness
- Pepperoni slices – Optional, but encouraged
- Bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, or onions – Load it up!
- Italian seasoning & garlic powder – Because pizza = flavor
- Egg – For brushing the crust golden
Ingredient amounts in the recipe card below!
How to Make Pizza Casserole Pie
- Prep the crust
Roll out your pie dough and press it into a 9-inch pie pan. Let the edges hang over just a bit—like your favorite cozy blanket. - Cook the filling
Brown your sausage or ground beef in a skillet, drain the fat, then stir in the pizza sauce, seasoning, and any veggies you like. Let it simmer to marry all the flavors. - Layer the magic
Spoon the filling into your crust, then add plenty of mozzarella, pepperoni, and parmesan. You can even sprinkle extra seasoning on top—your kitchen, your rules. - Top & bake
Add your top crust (lattice style or full coverage), crimp the edges, brush with a beaten egg, and bake at 375°F for about 30–35 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. - Cool and serve
Let it rest for 10 minutes—just enough time to keep it sliceable but still hot and melty.
Tips for Pizza Pie Perfection
- Want crispy crust? Blind bake the bottom crust for 5–7 minutes before adding the filling.
- Make it vegetarian by skipping the meat and loading up on mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach.
- Cheese on the bottom and top = next-level gooey deliciousness.
- Leftovers? Wrap slices individually and freeze—they reheat like a dream.
What to Serve With Pizza Casserole Pie
Keep it classic with a crisp Caesar salad or garlic bread. Or, go simple with steamed green beans or roasted broccoli to balance the richness of the pie. And don’t forget a drizzle of ranch or hot honey on your slice if you’re feeling fancy.
Storing & Reheating
- To store: Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days.
- To freeze: Wrap tightly in foil or store slices in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
- To reheat: Bake at 350°F for 10–15 minutes or microwave on medium for 2–3 minutes until warmed through.
A Little Slice of My Story
This recipe was born out of a chilly Tuesday evening when my kids wanted pizza and I wanted a casserole. My pantry was low, but I had pie crust, mozzarella, and some leftover marinara. The result? A bubbling, golden pie that made the entire house smell like a pizzeria—and became an instant family favorite.
Now it’s our go-to for movie nights, potlucks, and “Mom, what’s for dinner?” days.
Absolutely! Here’s the “You Might Also Like” section with all links included and clickable, ready to paste into your blog post:
You Might Also Like
If you’re all about cozy, cheesy, and crave-worthy comfort food, you’ll definitely want to check out these other casseroles from the blog:
- 👉 Cheesy Chicken Casserole Recipe (Family Favorite) – Creamy, gooey, and packed with flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights!
- 👉 Eggplant Casserole – Secrets to Make It Amazing – A wholesome and satisfying dish even veggie skeptics will love.
- 👉 Shrimp Casserole – A Flavorful Dish You’ll Crave – Succulent shrimp, savory seasoning, and baked goodness in every bite.
💡 Need more dinner ideas? Explore AllRecipes’ Top Casserole Dishes for even more delicious inspiration from home cooks everywhere.
Quick FAQ
What is in a pizza casserole?
A pizza casserole usually includes layers of cooked pasta or dough, savory tomato or pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and classic pizza toppings like sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, or bell peppers. In this Pizza Casserole Pie version, we take all those tasty elements and bake them inside a golden pie crust for a fun, comforting twist.
Why do New Yorkers call pizza “pie”?
The term “pizza pie” comes from Italian-American slang. When pizza was first introduced in the U.S., especially in New York, it resembled a savory pie more than anything else Americans were used to—round, sliced, and baked with a crust. The name stuck, and even today, many New Yorkers will say, “Let’s grab a pie,” and they mean pizza!
Who calls pizza “pizza pie”?
“Pizza pie” is most commonly used in the Northeastern United States, particularly in New York and New Jersey. It’s a more old-school way of referring to pizza that’s still lovingly used by many families and pizzerias. Outside of that region, most people just say “pizza,” but “pizza pie” still has a nostalgic ring to it.
Will pie crust work for pizza?
Yes! A pie crust gives your pizza a buttery, flaky twist that’s absolutely delicious in casserole or deep-dish form. While it’s not your traditional chewy pizza dough, it works wonderfully for baked pizza-style recipes like this one. Just make sure to blind bake the bottom crust for a few minutes if you want it extra crisp.
Final Slice
Pizza Casserole Pie is the kind of dinner that makes everyone do a happy little table dance. It’s nostalgic, satisfying, and packed with flavor in every bite. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or freezing slices for later, this dish hits all the right notes: cheesy, cozy, and crazy easy.
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Pizza Casserole Pie Recipe
This Pizza Casserole Pie brings the best of both worlds—cheesy pizza goodness layered into a golden, flaky pie crust. With savory sausage, melty mozzarella, and zesty pizza sauce baked into every slice, it’s the ultimate comfort food mashup. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or anytime your family craves something cozy, nostalgic, and delicious.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
🥧 For the Pie
- 1 store-bought or homemade pie crust (top & bottom)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
🍕 For the Filling
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage (or ground beef)
- 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped bell peppers
- 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat the oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish.Prepare the crust
Roll out one pie crust and press it into the bottom of the pie dish, letting a little hang over the edge.Cook the filling
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in pizza sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Simmer for 5 minutes.Assemble the pie
Spoon the filling into the pie crust. Layer on mozzarella, parmesan, and pepperoni. Roll out the top crust and place it over the filling. Crimp the edges to seal, then cut small slits on top for steam to escape.Brush and bake
Beat the egg and brush it over the top crust. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the crust is golden and filling is bubbly.Cool and serve
Let the pie cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Serve hot and enjoy every melty, pizza-loaded bite!
Notes
- Blind baking the bottom crust for 5–7 minutes before filling can help prevent sogginess.
- Use crescent dough or biscuit dough for a more rustic feel if pie crust isn’t available.
- You can swap sausage for ground turkey or keep it vegetarian with more veggies like spinach, zucchini, or olives.
- Freeze leftovers in individual slices for an easy grab-and-go meal later.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 65mg