Craving comfort food that’s warm, cheesy, and packed with flavor? Meet your new obsession: the Deep Dish Pizza Pot Pie. This dish takes the best of two worlds—classic homemade deep dish pizza and the flaky goodness of a savory pot pie—and fuses them into one unforgettable dinner.
Whether you’re using store-bought dough for an easy weeknight meal or going all in with homemade crust and sauce, this pizza pot pie recipe delivers that indulgent, pull-apart satisfaction with every bite. And the best part? It’s endlessly customizable to fit your favorite toppings and dietary preferences.
Perfect for pizza nights, casual gatherings, or cozy Sunday dinners, this recipe is a fun twist on the traditional pizza pie that’s sure to wow your friends and family.
🍕 What Is a Deep Dish Pizza Pot Pie?
A Deep Dish Pizza Pot Pie is a twist on the traditional deep dish pizza recipe, baked in a ramekin or small dish with a buttery crust on top. It’s served inverted, creating a crust-on-the-bottom cheesy pizza tower that oozes with gooey mozzarella, rich tomato sauce, and your favorite fillings.
Think Pie Crust Pizza meets Chicago deep dish — hearty, cheesy, and wrapped in a flaky golden shell. It’s like eating pizza from the inside out, making it one of the most satisfying and fun pizza pie ideas out there.
💡 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Customizable – Choose your favorite fillings, from classic pepperoni to veggie-loaded.
- Family-friendly – Kids love the presentation, and adults love the flavor.
- Comfort food at its best – Creamy cheese, rich sauce, golden crust = perfection.
- Make-ahead friendly – Assemble earlier and bake when ready.
- Perfect for leftovers – Use leftover meats, vegetables, or sauces in a new way.
🧀 Ingredients for Deep Dish Pizza Pot Pie
This recipe yields 4 individual pizza pot pies. You can double the recipe for a bigger crowd.
Filling:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage or ground beef (or use mushrooms for vegetarian)
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 cup baby spinach (optional but adds color and nutrients)
- 1 cup pizza sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded provolone or cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Crust:
- 1 sheet refrigerated pie crust or store-bought pizza dough
- 1 egg, beaten (for brushing)
Optional Toppings:
- Fresh basil, parsley, or chili oil for garnish
🛠 Equipment Needed
- 4 oven-safe ramekins (8-10 oz) or small ceramic bowls
- Rolling pin (if using dough)
- Pastry brush
- Baking sheet
👨🍳 How to Make Deep Dish Pizza Pot Pie
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease the ramekins with olive oil or non-stick spray.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté onions in olive oil until translucent. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add sausage or ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until browned, about 5–7 minutes.
Toss in mushrooms, peppers, and spinach. Cook for another 3–4 minutes until soft. Add pizza sauce, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
Step 3: Assemble the Pot Pies
Start with a small sprinkle of cheese at the bottom of each ramekin. This creates a cheesy crust layer when inverted. Spoon in the meat and veggie mixture. Top with shredded mozzarella and cheddar or provolone.
Leave about ½ inch of space from the top so the dough can expand.
Step 4: Top with Dough
Roll out your pie crust or pizza dough and cut 4 circles slightly larger than the top of each ramekin. Place one over each filled ramekin and press the edges to seal. Cut a small slit in the center to allow steam to escape.
Brush each crust with beaten egg to ensure a golden finish.
Step 5: Bake
Place ramekins on a baking sheet to catch any bubbling over. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until crust is golden and filling is bubbling.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Let cool for 5–10 minutes before inverting onto plates. Use a knife to loosen the edges if necessary. Garnish with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of parmesan.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Pair your Deep Dish Pizza Pot Pie with:
- A crisp green salad with balsamic dressing
- Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks
- Roasted vegetables
- A glass of red wine or sparkling water with lemon
Want to go extra indulgent? Serve with a drizzle of garlic butter or spicy chili oil.
🌿 Variations and Topping Ideas
This dish is super flexible. Try these combinations:
🌱 Vegetarian Pizza Pot Pie:
- Mushrooms, spinach, olives, caramelized onions, and feta
🐓 Chicken Alfredo Pot Pie:
- Diced cooked chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, and spinach
🔥 Spicy Pepperoni & Jalapeño:
- Pepperoni, jalapeños, red onion, and extra cheese
🌽 Mexican-Inspired:
- Chorizo, black beans, corn, salsa, and cheddar cheese
🍍 Hawaiian:
- Ham, pineapple, and mozzarella for sweet-savory flavor
🧊 Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Make-Ahead:
- Assemble the pot pies and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
- Bake directly from fridge, adding 5 extra minutes.
Freeze:
- Assemble and wrap unbaked pies in plastic wrap.
- Freeze up to 3 months.
- Bake from frozen at 375°F for 30–35 minutes.
Leftovers:
- Store cooled pies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a 350°F oven until warm, about 10–15 minutes.
🍕 Store-Bought Dough vs. Homemade Dough
Using Store-Bought Dough:
Perfect for busy nights! Just let it come to room temp before rolling.
Making Your Own (Optional Recipe):
Ingredients:
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Steps:
- Activate yeast in warm water for 5 minutes.
- Mix with flour, salt, and oil.
- Knead 8 minutes, let rise 1 hour.
- Roll and use as instructed.
Homemade dough yields a more elastic, chewy crust—perfect if you want full control over flavor.
🍅 Homemade Pizza Sauce (Optional)
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp sugar
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
Sauté garlic in oil, add tomatoes, oregano, and sugar. Simmer 15 minutes. Season to taste.
⭐ Pro Tips for the Perfect Pizza Pot Pie
- Cheese first, sauce second: To prevent soggy crust, layer cheese before the sauce inside the ramekin.
- Let it rest: After baking, let it rest before inverting. This helps the pot pie hold its shape.
- Experiment with crusts: Puff pastry, biscuit dough, or crescent rolls can be used instead of pie dough.
- Go gluten-free: Use a gluten-free crust and ensure toppings are GF-friendly.
📝 Final Thoughts
There’s a reason Deep Dish Pizza Pot Pie is becoming a hit among home cooks—it’s bold, customizable, and deeply comforting. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, looking for a new pizza night idea, or just want to switch up your typical dinner routine, this dish delivers.
Best of all, you don’t need to be a master chef. With store-bought dough, simple fillings, and a handful of ramekins, you’re minutes away from pizza pot pie perfection.
So roll up your sleeves, gather your favorite toppings, and dig into the ultimate pizza pie recipe that combines creativity, comfort, and culinary fun.
