Get ready to transform your pizza night with our incredible Pizza Pot Pies! These individual, upside-down deep-dish style delights are incredibly fun to make and eat. You get all the amazing flavors of a hearty pizza baked into a personal-sized portion. They are simple to prepare and promise a delicious, family-friendly meal perfect for any busy weeknight.
According to culinary experts, the distinctive thick crust and generous fillings are key characteristics of deep-dish pizza.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Pizza Pot Pies
- Quicker than traditional deep dish: Enjoy deep-dish flavors without the long baking time.
- Customizable for individual tastes: Everyone can choose their favorite toppings for their own pot pie.
- Fun and interactive meal: Kids and adults love creating and devouring their personal pizza pot pies.
- Uses simple, accessible ingredients: You’ll find everything you need at your local grocery store.
- Less messy, easy to serve: No more struggling with large pizza slices; these are perfectly portioned.
- Perfect for busy weeknights: A fantastic way to bring smiles to the dinner table with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
Crafting delicious pizza pot pies requires just a few staple ingredients. This recipe makes four individual servings. Gather your store-bought pizza dough, rich pizza sauce, and a selection of your favorite fillings like browned Italian sausage, sliced mushrooms, and pepperoni. Don’t forget plenty of mozzarella cheese for that perfect melty goodness!
- 2 store-bought pizza crusts (Pillsbury or fresh-made)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 1/2 cups pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage, browned
- 1 cup mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 10 slices pepperoni, chopped
- Fresh basil, for garnish
- Fresh spinach, optional
- 1 lb. mozzarella cheese, sliced
- Additional pizza toppings, as desired
Notes & Substitutions
Dough: Store-bought pizza dough makes this recipe quick. Feel free to use your favorite homemade dough for an extra personal touch. Protein: Swap Italian sausage for cooked ground beef, shredded chicken, or cubed ham. Always cook meats fully before adding them. Vegetables: Get creative! Bell peppers, onions, olives, or roasted red peppers all work wonderfully. Fresh spinach adds a nice touch of green.
Cheese: A blend of mozzarella and provolone adds depth. You can also sprinkle in some Parmesan or ricotta for varied textures.
Sauce: Use your favorite jarred pizza sauce for convenience. A homemade marinara or a spicy arrabiata sauce can also elevate the flavors. Spice: Adjust the Italian seasoning to your preference. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a pleasant kick to these personal deep-dish treats.
Equipment
You won’t need many special tools for these delightful pizza pot pies. Just a few kitchen essentials will do the trick. Gathering these items before you start will make the cooking process smooth and enjoyable.
- Four 5-inch ramekins or oven-safe bowls
- Baking sheet
- Large mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Measuring cups and spoons
Instructions
Making these ultimate Pizza Pot Pies is a straightforward process, perfect for beginners and busy cooks alike. Follow these steps carefully for a perfect, individual deep-dish experience every time. Get ready to bake some serious flavor!
- Prep Oven & Pans: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Generously grease four large (5-inch) ramekins or cake pans with oil or butter. Be sure to grease the entire inside, including the rim and at least 1 inch down the outside. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures easy release of your individual pizza bakes.
- Prepare Dough: Divide your pizza dough into four equal-sized portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a circle about 6 inches wide. These circles will form the top crust of your personal pizza pots. Set the rolled dough aside on parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Layer Cheese: Carefully line the entire inside of each greased ramekin with slices of mozzarella cheese. Don’t skimp here; the cheese layer acts as a barrier and ensures a delicious, gooey base for your fillings. Press the cheese firmly against the bottom and sides to create a solid foundation for your pizza pot pies.
- Add Fillings: Distribute your cooked and browned Italian sausage, thinly sliced mushrooms, and chopped pepperoni evenly among the four cheese-lined ramekins. Feel free to add any additional desired pizza toppings like fresh spinach or bell peppers at this stage. Ensure the fillings are spread out for even cooking.
- Mix Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the pizza sauce, minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. This seasoned sauce will infuse your pot pies with aromatic Italian flavor. Make sure the ingredients are well combined to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Pour Sauce: Spoon the seasoned sauce mixture over the other fillings in each of the ramekins. Fill them generously, but leave a small space at the top for the dough and any expansion during baking. This creates the signature saucy goodness of our personal deep-dish creations.
- Top with Dough: Carefully drape one rolled dough circle over the top of each ramekin. Gently stretch the dough to fit over the entire top and press it firmly to seal the edges to the outer rims of the ramekin. This creates a tight seal, keeping all the delicious fillings inside your pizza pot pies.
- Bake Pies: Place the filled ramekins onto a baking sheet. This catches any potential overflow and makes transferring them to and from the oven much easier. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crusts are beautifully golden brown and puffed. The internal fillings will be bubbling hot.
- Invert & Serve: Once fully cooked, remove the ramekins from the oven. Immediately and carefully turn each pot pie over onto individual serving plates. Remove the ramekins gently. Garnish your personal pizza pot pies with the remaining Italian seasoning and fresh basil leaves. Serve hot and enjoy!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Greasing is Key: Generously grease your ramekins with oil or butter. This step is critical for preventing sticking and ensuring your mini pizza pies release cleanly. Don’t rush it!
- Seal the Dough: Press the dough firmly around the ramekin edges. A good seal prevents sauce from bubbling out during baking, keeping your oven clean and your pot pies intact.
- Don’t Overfill: Leave a little space at the top of the ramekins. Overfilling can cause spillage and make sealing the dough difficult, leading to a mess.
- Cook Sausage First: Always ensure any raw meats, like Italian sausage, are fully cooked and drained before adding them to the ramekins. This guarantees food safety and better flavor in your upside-down pizza pies.
- Cool Slightly: While the recipe says to invert immediately, if you find them sticking, let them rest for 2-3 minutes. This allows the cheese to set slightly, aiding in release.
- Customize Toppings: Encourage variety and personal preferences! These are individual servings, so let everyone choose their favorite ingredients.
Serving, Storage & Variations
These delightful individual deep-dish treats are incredibly versatile. You can pair them with simple sides, store them for later enjoyment, or get creative with endless flavor combinations. They are perfect for family meals or entertaining.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your hot pizza pot pies with a fresh, crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette. Offer warm garlic bread or soft breadsticks on the side for dipping into any extra sauce. Garnish each pot pie with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a dash of red pepper flakes for an added kick.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover pizza pot pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze unbaked or baked pot pies for longer storage; wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then foil. Reheat baked pot pies in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or microwave if in a hurry.
Flavor Variations
- Vegetarian Delight: Load your pizza pots with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and olives.
- Spicy Supreme: Add sliced jalapeños, hot Italian sausage, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat.
- White Pizza: Use Alfredo sauce as the base, add ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, and cooked chicken.
- Breakfast Pot Pie: Fill with scrambled eggs, cooked bacon or sausage, and cheddar cheese for a unique brunch.
Nutrition Information
Please note that this recipe for homemade Pizza Pot Pies provides approximate nutrition facts. Actual values can vary significantly based on specific brands of ingredients used, portion sizes, and any additions or substitutions you make.
For precise nutrition data, we recommend using an online nutrition calculator with your exact ingredients. Factors like the type of dough, amount of cheese, and choice of toppings will all affect the final calorie and macro counts.
| Nutrient | Amount (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 550-700 kcal |
| Total Fat | 30-45g |
| Saturated Fat | 15-25g |
| Cholesterol | 80-120mg |
| Sodium | 1000-1500mg |
| Carbohydrates | 40-60g |
| Fiber | 3-5g |
| Sugars | 5-10g |
| Protein | 30-40g |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use puff pastry for the crust?
Yes, you can! Puff pastry creates a lighter, flakier crust for your individual pizza bakes. Just roll it out and drape it over the fillings as directed for the pizza dough.
How do I prevent the pies from sticking?
The key is generous greasing of the ramekins. Ensure you coat the entire inside surface, especially the rim, with oil or butter before adding any ingredients.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the pizza pot pies up to the “Top with Dough” step, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed when ready.
Conclusion
There you have it – a truly delightful and incredibly simple way to enjoy all the rich flavors of a deep-dish pizza in a personal, easy-to-manage portion. These Pizza Pot Pies are a testament to making baking simple and fun, perfect for busy parents and beginners alike. We hope you’ll try this unique recipe and share your culinary adventures with Sweet Emily.
Get ready to impress your family and friends with this ingenious twist on a classic favorite!
Ultimate Pizza Pot Pies: An Easy Upside-Down Recipe
Equipment
- Ramekins
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 count Store-bought pizza crust You can use Pillsbury or fresh-made
- 3 tablespoons Oil or butter
- 1 1/2 cups Pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Minced garlic
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning divided
- 1 pound Ground Italian sausage browned
- 1 cup Mushrooms thinly sliced
- 10 slices Pepperoni chopped
- Fresh basil
- Fresh spinach
- Fresh mozzarella slices optional
- 1 lb. Mozzarella cheese sliced
- Additional pizza toppings as desired
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and generously grease four large ramekins or cake pans, ensuring the rims and sides are well-coated.
- Divide the pizza dough into four equal portions, then roll each into a 6-inch circle and set aside.
- Line the inside of each ramekin with mozzarella slices, then layer in browned Italian sausage, sliced mushrooms, and other desired toppings.
- Combine pizza sauce, garlic, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, then pour over the fillings. Cover each ramekin with a pizza dough circle, stretching and pressing to seal the edges to the rim.
- Bake on a baking sheet for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Immediately invert onto plates, remove ramekins, and garnish with remaining Italian seasoning and fresh basil before serving.