Deep Hamburger Sausage & Pepperoni Pie

If you’re anything like me, comfort food means something cheesy, hearty, and absolutely packed with flavor. You know those meals that you pull out of the oven and immediately everyone’s at the table before you’ve even had a chance to grab the plates? That’s exactly what this Deep Hamburger Sausage & Pepperoni Pie is. It’s rich, filling, and kind of like the best parts of a deep-dish pizza and a lasagna had a delicious baby—wrapped in a flaky, golden pie crust.

I first made this recipe on a chilly fall evening when I had a fridge full of random pizza toppings and a leftover pie crust I didn’t want to waste. What came out of the oven that night was so good, my husband asked if we could put it on the weekly rotation. It’s now our go-to when we want something indulgent but still simple enough to throw together on a weeknight.

This pie is layered with savory ground beef, flavorful Italian sausage, spicy pepperoni, and plenty of gooey cheese—all tied together with a rich tomato sauce and nestled in a flaky crust. It’s the kind of dinner that feels like a big warm hug after a long day.

So let’s dive into the magic, shall we?

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 1 pound ground beef

• ½ pound Italian sausage, casing removed

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 cup pizza or marinara sauce

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• ½ teaspoon dried basil

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 20 to 25 slices pepperoni

• 1 prepared deep-dish pie crust (homemade or store-bought)

• 1 egg, lightly beaten (for egg wash)

STEP 1: Preheat and Prep Your Crust

Before you start assembling the magic, go ahead and preheat your oven to 375°F. Then, place your deep-dish pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish, pressing it gently into the bottom and up the sides. Use a fork to prick the bottom of the crust to help prevent it from puffing up during baking. Once it’s prepped, just set it aside for now—we’ll come back to it soon.

this recipe

STEP 2: Cook the Aromatics

In a large skillet over medium heat, warm up the olive oil and sauté the chopped onion until it’s nice and soft—this takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Then stir in the garlic and let it cook for about 1 more minute until fragrant. (Your kitchen is going to smell amazing at this point!)

STEP 3: Brown the Meat

Next, add your ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Break it all up with your spoon or spatula as it cooks, and keep stirring until everything is fully browned and cooked through. This should take around 7 to 8 minutes. Once it’s cooked, go ahead and drain any excess fat to keep your pie from getting greasy later on.

STEP 4: Add the Sauce and Seasonings

Now comes the flavor! Stir in the pizza or marinara sauce, followed by the dried oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Let the whole mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to bring all those seasonings together into a rich, savory filling. Then remove the pan from heat and let it cool slightly before you move on to layering.

Alright, now that your filling is rich, savory, and cooling off a bit, it’s time to move on to the fun part—layering everything into the crust and letting the oven do the rest. This is where all those bold, meaty flavors come together with melty cheese and crispy pepperoni slices to create a dinner that’s nothing short of irresistible.

This dish is also incredibly forgiving. You can customize it based on what you have on hand, and I’ll be sharing a few of my favorite variations and tips along the way to help you make this recipe your own. But first, let’s finish building the pie!

STEP 5: Start the First Layer

Take your prepared pie crust that you set aside earlier and spoon in half of the meat mixture, spreading it out evenly. You want a nice thick layer that fills the crust without overflowing. Then, sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the Parmesan cheese right on top.

Now for the best part: layer on half of the pepperoni slices. Try to spread them out evenly so every bite has that spicy, savory pepperoni flavor.

STEP 6: Repeat the Layers

Next, add the rest of the meat mixture, gently pressing it down with the back of your spoon so everything stays nice and compact. Follow with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and finally top with the rest of the pepperoni slices. Feel free to overlap them slightly so you get that beautiful, pizza-style topping look.

STEP 7: Egg Wash and Bake

Before popping your pie in the oven, brush the edges of the crust with the beaten egg. This gives you that beautiful golden-brown finish that just looks homemade and comforting.

Place your pie dish on a baking sheet (just in case anything bubbles over) and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You’re looking for a golden crust and a bubbling, cheesy top.

STEP 8: Let It Rest Before Slicing

I know it’s going to be tempting to dive right in the second you pull it out of the oven, but give it at least 10 minutes to rest. This helps everything set up so your slices stay together beautifully. Trust me, it’s worth the wait.

Tips for Success & Easy Variations

Don’t skip the rest time. It might feel like an extra step, but letting your pie rest before slicing ensures it doesn’t fall apart on the plate. It also helps the flavors settle and meld together even more.

Add some heat. Want to spice things up? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat mixture while it simmers, or throw in a few chopped jalapeños with the onion.

Try different cheeses. Mozzarella and Parmesan are classics, but feel free to experiment with provolone, cheddar, or even a little smoked gouda if you’re feeling adventurous.

Mix in veggies. Chopped green bell peppers, mushrooms, or black olives make great additions to the meat mixture and add a little extra texture and flavor.

Use a homemade crust. If you have the time and energy, a buttery homemade pie crust takes this dish to the next level. But if you’re in a hurry, no shame in grabbing a good-quality store-bought version.