Deep Hamburger, Sausage & Pepperoni Pie

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There are dinners that fill your stomach, and then there are dinners that fill your soul. This Deep Hamburger, Sausage & Pepperoni Pie definitely falls into the second category. It’s like your favorite pizza, a hearty meat pie, and a loaded burger all teamed up to create the ultimate comfort food. And let me tell you—if you’re feeding a hungry crowd, prepping for game night, or just craving something warm and indulgent after a long day, this recipe checks all the boxes.

I first made this pie on a chilly Saturday night when my family couldn’t agree on whether they wanted burgers, pizza, or something baked and cozy. So I thought, “Why not all three?” The result was a deep, cheesy, meat-packed pie that disappeared faster than anything else I’ve pulled out of the oven in months. Since then, it’s become one of our go-to meals when we need something hearty and satisfying. Best part? It’s super simple to make, and you can easily tweak it based on what you have in your fridge.

This pie brings together savory seasoned ground beef, spicy Italian sausage, and loads of pepperoni, all layered with rich marinara sauce and melty cheese in a golden pie crust. It’s like lasagna met your favorite pizza and decided to wear a buttery crust. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds.

Ready to make it yourself? Let’s dive in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the crust:

  • 1 store-bought deep-dish pie crust (9-inch) or equivalent homemade dough

For the filling:

  • 400g ground beef

  • 200g Italian sausage, casing removed

  • 150g pepperoni slices

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • ½ teaspoon dried basil

  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the sauce and cheese layer:

  • 400ml pizza or marinara sauce

  • 200g shredded mozzarella cheese

  • 50g grated Parmesan cheese

Optional garnish: fresh basil or parsley

STEP 1: Preheat and Prep Your Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 190°C. While the oven heats, grab your pie crust and gently press it into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Make sure it fits snugly into the corners and reaches up the sides. This is going to be the delicious base that holds everything together, so don’t rush this step. If you’re using homemade dough, roll it out a little thicker than usual so it can stand up to all that meaty filling.

Tip: If you like your crust extra crisp on the bottom (and who doesn’t?), go ahead and prebake it for about 5 minutes before adding your fillings. Just prick the bottom a few times with a fork to prevent puffing.

STEP 2: Cook the Meat

Next, grab a large skillet and heat it over medium heat. Toss in your ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them apart with a wooden spoon or spatula as they cook. You’ll want to cook the meat until it’s browned all the way through and no longer pink—this usually takes about 7 to 10 minutes.

Once the meat is fully cooked, go ahead and drain the excess fat. This keeps your pie from turning greasy and helps the crust stay flaky, not soggy.

STEP 3: Sauté the Aromatics

Now, with the meat still in the skillet, add your finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté everything together for about 3 minutes, or until the onions turn soft and translucent. This step builds a ton of flavor into the meat mixture and gives your pie that rich, savory depth that makes every bite irresistible.

Season the mixture with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper, and give it a good stir so the herbs and seasoning are evenly distributed.

STEP 4: Begin Layering Your Pie

With your crust ready and your meat mixture cooked and seasoned, it’s time to start building that deep, dreamy pie. Start by spreading half of the pizza or marinara sauce right into the bottom of your crust. This creates a saucy, flavorful base and helps soak into the crust a bit while baking (in a good way).

Next, evenly spoon the cooked meat mixture over the sauce. Try to keep the layer even all the way across so that every bite has a perfect balance of meat and crust.

Once your meat is in place, it’s time for the pepperoni. Arrange the slices across the top of the meat layer, slightly overlapping if needed. These will get all warm and flavorful during baking, almost like they’re hiding little bursts of pizza flavor inside the pie.

Ultimate Deep Hamburger, Sausage & Pepperoni Pie: A Comfort Food Favorite 

In Part 1, we layered up a buttery deep-dish crust with a rich meat filling made from ground beef, Italian sausage, and sautéed aromatics. Then we added a layer of pepperoni for that classic pizza flavor twist. Now it’s time to finish off this hearty pie with a rich, cheesy topping and get it baked to golden perfection.

This next part is where the magic really happens—the sauce gets bubbly, the cheese melts and browns, and everything comes together into a pie that’s sliceable, satisfying, and absolutely packed with flavor. Whether you’re serving this for Sunday dinner, bringing it to a potluck, or cutting big, cheesy wedges for a game-day feast, it’s going to be a hit.

Let’s get back into the kitchen and wrap up this epic comfort dish.

STEP 5: Add the Remaining Sauce and Cheese

With your meat and pepperoni layers in place, now it’s time to pour on the rest of your pizza or marinara sauce. You’ll want to spread it evenly over the top, covering the pepperoni completely. This final sauce layer helps keep the meat moist and blends beautifully with the cheese as it bakes.

Next comes the best part: the cheese. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the sauce. Then follow it with a generous handful of grated Parmesan. The mozzarella gives you that classic melty stretch, while the Parmesan adds a salty bite and helps the top brown to a beautiful golden color.

If you like a little extra kick, this is a great moment to sprinkle on some crushed red pepper flakes—or even add a few sliced olives or sautéed mushrooms. Totally optional, but always welcome.

STEP 6: Bake It to Golden Perfection

Now that your pie is fully assembled, place it in your preheated oven at 190°C. Bake it for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just starting to brown in spots. The crust should be a lovely golden color, and the smell coming from your oven? Irresistible.

If your cheese starts browning too fast, you can loosely tent the top with foil for the last 5 minutes of baking.

STEP 7: Let It Rest Before Serving

This step is important, so don’t skip it—even if your stomach’s growling. Once your pie is out of the oven, let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the filling set up a bit and makes for cleaner slices (and less mess on your plate).

You’ll still get all that gooey, cheesy goodness, but it won’t slide apart the second you cut into it.

Optional Garnish: Add a Fresh Finish

Just before serving, you can sprinkle some fresh basil or chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness. It’s a small touch, but it really brightens the dish and gives it that homemade, from-scratch feel—even if you used a store-bought crust (no judgment!).

Make It Your Own: Variations and Tips

One of the best things about this Deep Hamburger, Sausage & Pepperoni Pie is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ways to put your own spin on it:

  • Add More Veggies: Toss in sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, or black olives for extra flavor and texture. Just cook them first so they don’t release too much moisture during baking.

  • Use Different Meats: Try ground turkey, spicy chorizo, or even diced ham. This pie is super forgiving, so feel free to swap in whatever you’ve got.

  • Spice It Up: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper, a few dashes of hot sauce, or even some jalapeño slices between the meat and sauce layers for a little heat.

  • Go Homemade with the Crust: If you have the time, making your own dough can really elevate the dish—but if not, no worries. A good-quality store-bought crust works just fine.

Ultimate Deep Hamburger, Sausage & Pepperoni Pie: A Comfort Food Favorite

By now, your Deep Hamburger, Sausage & Pepperoni Pie is baked to perfection, rested, and ready to serve. This dish is everything we love about comfort food—meaty, cheesy, saucy, and wrapped in a flaky crust. It’s the kind of dinner that gets people gathered around the table fast. But before we wrap things up, let’s go over some frequently asked questions I’ve heard since first sharing this recipe with friends and readers.

Whether you’re making this for the first time or you’re already planning your second go-round, the answers below should help you make the most out of this incredible dish.

FAQ: Your Deep Pie Questions Answered

1. Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Yes! You can fully assemble the pie (without baking), then cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it in the oven straight from the fridge. You may need to add 5–10 extra minutes to the baking time.

2. Can I freeze it?
Absolutely. Once baked and cooled completely, you can freeze individual slices or the entire pie. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil or store in a freezer-safe container. To reheat, bake slices from frozen at 180°C until warmed through, about 20–25 minutes.

3. What if I don’t have a deep-dish pie plate?
No problem. You can use a regular 9-inch pie dish with slightly less filling, or go for a square or rectangular baking dish instead (an 8×8-inch pan works well). Just be sure to adjust layers and baking time slightly based on the thickness.

4. Can I make this vegetarian?
Sure! Swap the ground beef and sausage for plant-based alternatives, or use a mix of sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, and onions. Keep the seasonings the same and layer just like the original.

5. My crust gets soggy—how can I prevent that?
Prebaking the crust for 5 minutes before filling it can help avoid a soggy bottom. Also, make sure to fully drain your cooked meat to remove excess grease, which can soak into the crust.

6. What cheese can I substitute for mozzarella?
Feel free to use a mix of shredded provolone, Monterey Jack, or even cheddar. Just make sure it’s a good melting cheese. Parmesan is still recommended for that extra savory kick on top.

7. How long will leftovers keep?
Leftovers will stay good in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for the best texture. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the crust crisp.

Final Thoughts: A Slice of Comfort You’ll Make Again and Again

This Deep Hamburger, Sausage & Pepperoni Pie isn’t just a recipe—it’s a full-on meal that brings people together. It’s the kind of dish that feels familiar but still delivers something unexpected with every bite. The combination of rich meats, zesty sauce, and golden crust is pure comfort food, and the best part is how easy it is to make your own.

Whether you’re keeping things classic or tossing in your favorite mix-ins, this pie can flex with whatever you’ve got in your kitchen. Make it for family night, freeze it for later, or bring it along to your next potluck—it’s a crowd-pleaser every single time.

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Deep Hamburger, Sausage & Pepperoni Pie

This hearty Deep Pie layers seasoned ground beef, Italian sausage, and pepperoni beneath a blanket of cheese and pizza-style sauce, all nestled in a golden, flaky crust. It’s the ultimate comfort food mash-up—perfect for feeding a crowd, enjoying as game-day fare, or savoring on a casual family night.

  • Author: Mark's Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

For the crust:
1 store-bought deep-dish pie crust (9-inch) or equivalent homemade dough

For the filling:
400 g ground beef

200 g Italian sausage, casing removed

150 g pepperoni slices

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon dried basil

Salt and pepper to taste

For the sauce & cheese layer:
400 ml pizza or marinara sauce

200 g shredded mozzarella cheese

50 g grated Parmesan cheese

Optional garnish: fresh basil or parsley

Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 190 °C. Place the pie crust into a 9‑inch deep-dish pie plate, pressing it into the bottom and up the sides.

2️⃣ In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and sausage, breaking meat apart with a spatula, until fully browned. Drain excess fat.

3️⃣ Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until onions soften, about 3 minutes. Season with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper; stir to combine. Remove from heat.

4️⃣ Spread half of the pizza sauce evenly into the bottom of the pie crust.

5️⃣ Evenly layer the cooked meat mixture over the sauce.

6️⃣ Arrange pepperoni slices on top of the meat layer.

7️⃣ Pour remaining pizza sauce over the pepperoni.

8️⃣ Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the sauce.

9️⃣ Bake in preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and just starting to brown.

🔟 Remove from oven and let rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the pie set for cleaner slices.

Notes

– Feel free to customize by adding extra fillings like sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives.
– For a crispier crust, prebake the bottom for 5 minutes before adding fillings.
– Leftovers reheat well in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispness.
– To make ahead, assemble in a baking dish, cover, and refrigerate; bake when ready.

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