Pizza Pot Pies: The Ultimate Comfort Food Mash-Up Recipe
These Pizza Pot Pies combine the best of two beloved comfort foods—pizza and pot pie—into a delightful, individual-sized meal. Featuring a crispy homemade or refrigerated dough crust filled with marinara sauce, gooey mozzarella, savory pepperoni, and classic Italian herbs, these pot pies are baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a fun family dinner or a cozy night in, they offer a creative way to enjoy all your favorite pizza flavors in a handheld, comforting format.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 individual pot pies 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Dough and Base
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade pizza dough)
- Olive oil for brushing (optional)
Filling
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce or pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices (or your choice of toppings such as sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the pot pies evenly.
- Prepare Ramekins: Lightly grease 4-6 small ramekins or oven-safe bowls depending on the size to prevent sticking and make it easy to remove the pot pies after baking.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to about 1/8 inch thickness, ensuring it’s thin enough to cook through but sturdy enough to hold the filling.
- Cut Dough Portions: Cut the dough into circles or squares large enough to fit your ramekins, allowing about 1 inch of dough to hang over the sides for sealing.
- Form Crust: Gently press the dough into the bottom and sides of each ramekin, shaping it to form a solid crust base.
- Add Sauce: Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of marinara or pizza sauce into the bottom of each dough-lined ramekin to create a flavorful foundation.
- Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella over the sauce, then add your pepperoni slices or any preferred toppings like sausage or vegetables for added flavor and texture.
- Season Filling: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, and optional red pepper flakes evenly over the fillings to enhance the aroma and taste.
- Top and Seal: Add extra mozzarella cheese on top, then fold the overhanging dough over the filling to partially cover it, helping to lock in the ingredients during baking.
- Brush with Olive Oil: Optional but recommended: brush the exposed dough tops with olive oil to achieve a golden, crispy finish once baked.
- Bake: Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the dough is golden brown, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Let the pot pies cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set slightly. Serve hot with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- You can customize the toppings based on preference—sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives work great.
- If using homemade dough, make sure it’s well chilled before rolling out for easier handling.
- Brushing olive oil on the crust is optional but adds a beautiful golden color and extra flavor.
- Allow the pot pies to cool slightly to prevent burns from hot filling.
- These pot pies can be made ahead and refrigerated; just add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking from cold.
Keywords: pizza pot pies, pizza recipe, comfort food, individual pot pies, easy dinner, mozzarella, pepperoni, marinara sauce, baked pot pie
