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.

Pizza Casserole Pie – A Cheesy, Crusty Family Favorite

Name: Pizza Casserole Pie Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 store-bought or homemade pie crust (top & bottom); 1 egg (for egg wash); 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

Ingredients

Scale

🥧 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

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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.

Author: Sanae
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