A Deep, Cheesy, Comfort-Food Masterpiece
Introduction
This Stuffed Meat Lovers Pizza Pie is not your everyday pizza. It’s thick, hearty, and packed from top to bottom with layers of seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, savory pepperoni, and tender vegetables—all wrapped inside a golden, buttery crust. Every slice eats like a full meal and delivers that irresistible comfort-food satisfaction.
Perfect for family dinners, special weekends, or when you want to impress guests, this pizza pie combines the soul of a casserole with the bold flavors of a classic pizzeria favorite.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2¼ tsp) instant yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1¼ cups warm water
- 3 tbsp olive oil
For the Meat Filling
- 1½ lb (700 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
For the Sauce
- 1½ cups pizza or marinara sauce
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
For the Cheese & Toppings
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or provolone
- 20–25 slices pepperoni
- Optional: mushrooms, olives, jalapeños
For Brushing
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the dough and let it rise
- Cook the meat filling
- Assemble the pizza pie
- Bake until golden and bubbling
- Rest, slice, and serve
Methods
1. Making the Dough
- In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Rest 5 minutes.
- Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Knead until soft and elastic (8–10 minutes).
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
2. Preparing the Meat Filling
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Cook ground beef until browned.
- Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until soft.
- Season with salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and chili flakes.
- Stir in ½ cup pizza sauce. Remove from heat.
3. Assembling the Pizza Pie
- Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F.
- Divide dough into two portions (one slightly larger).
- Roll the larger portion and press into a greased deep pan.
- Layer cheese, meat filling, sauce, more cheese, and toppings.
- Cover with remaining dough and seal edges well.
- Brush top with melted butter and garlic powder.
4. Baking
- Bake for 35–40 minutes until deeply golden.
- Rest 10 minutes before slicing.
History
Stuffed pizza originated in Chicago in the 1970s as a bold evolution of deep-dish pizza. Designed to hold more cheese, meat, and sauce, it became famous for its pie-like structure and rich layers. This meat-lover version takes inspiration from American pizzerias while adapting home-style comfort cooking.
Benefits
- High in protein from beef and cheese
- Very filling, perfect for sharing
- Customizable with vegetables or different meats
- Ideal for meal prep and leftovers
- Brings people together around the table
Formation (Layer Structure)
- Bottom dough crust
- Mozzarella cheese
- Seasoned meat filling
- Pizza sauce
- Extra cheese
- Pepperoni & toppings
- Top dough crust
This structure ensures no soggy crust and maximum flavor in every bite.
Nutrition (Approx. per slice)
- Calories: 520–580 kcal
- Protein: 28–32 g
- Fat: 30 g
- Carbohydrates: 35–40
- Calcium & iron rich
(Values vary based on ingredients used)
Who Will Love This Recipe
Meat lovers
Pizza fans
Families with hungry eaters
Game-night hosts
Comfort-food enthusiasts
Extra Methods & Tips
- Use cast iron or springform pan for best structure
- Let rest before cutting to keep layers intact
- Freeze slices individually for quick meals
- Serve with a fresh salad for balance
Conclusion
This Stuffed Meat Lovers Pizza Pie is bold, indulgent, and unforgettable. It’s more than pizza—it’s an experience. With its rich history, layered structure, and crowd-pleasing flavors, this dish earns a permanent spot in your comfort-food rotation.