Cheesy Pizza Pot Pies Recipe

Savory Pizza Pot Pies Recipe: A Cozy Twist on Italian Favorites

Tucked away in my recipe collection, pizza pot pies offer a delightful twist on classic comfort food.

Crispy pastry shells cradle bubbling cheese and zesty marinara with unexpected charm.

Familiar flavors merge into a playful dish that surprises even seasoned home cooks.

Flaky crusts promise a golden exterior hiding melted goodness underneath.

Layers of savory ingredients create a compact meal bursting with personality.

Meat lovers and vegetarian enthusiasts alike will find something to celebrate in this creative culinary approach.

Prepare to fall in love with a recipe that turns ordinary pizza ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

Pizza Pot Pies Crowd-Pleasers

  • Craft Personalized Pizzas: Create unique pot pies by mixing favorite toppings like sausage, pepperoni, or vegetables for a custom culinary experience that delights every taste bud.
  • Simplify Meal Prep: Use ready-made biscuit dough or puff pastry to transform a classic pizza into individual servings, cutting down cooking time and kitchen effort.
  • Perfect for Gathering Crowds: Serve these adorable individual pot pies at family dinners, game nights, or casual get-togethers, making mealtime fun and interactive for everyone.
  • No-Fuss Cooking Method: Bake these portable pizzas in ramekins with minimal ingredients and steps, ensuring a stress-free cooking process that produces delicious results every single time.

Ingredients for Pizza Pot Pies

Main Ingredients:
  • Marinara Sauce: A classic Italian tomato-based sauce that provides the foundational flavor for the pizza pot pies.
  • Biscuit Dough or Puff Pastry: A flaky, buttery crust that covers the top of the pot pies and creates a delicious golden exterior.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: A soft, mild cheese that melts beautifully and adds a creamy texture to the dish.
Protein and Vegetable Toppings:
  • Sausage, Pepperoni: Savory meat options that add rich flavor and protein to the pot pies.
  • Vegetables: Fresh ingredients that can enhance the nutritional value and add variety to the dish.
Seasoning and Finishing Touches:
  • Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning: Aromatic ingredients that provide additional flavor and help create a golden, crispy crust.

Step-by-Step Pizza Pot Pies Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dishes

Crank up your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C). Grab your individual ramekins and give them a light coating of cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Saucy Base

Pour a generous layer of zesty marinara sauce into the bottom of each ramekin, creating a delicious foundation for your pot pies.

Step 3: Build Flavor-Packed Layers

Add your favorite pizza toppings to create a mouthwatering filling.

Consider these delectable options:
  • Crumbled Italian sausage
  • Crispy pepperoni slices
  • Roasted bell peppers
  • Sliced mushrooms
  • Chopped onions

Sprinkle a generous handful of gooey mozzarella cheese over the toppings.

Step 4: Crown with Flaky Crust

Carefully cut biscuit dough or puff pastry to perfectly cover the top of each ramekin.

Gently place the dough over the filling, pressing down the edges to create a tight seal.

Step 5: Add Flavor-Boosting Finishing Touches

Brush the top crust with a light layer of olive oil.

Dust with fragrant garlic powder and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning for an extra flavor punch.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the ramekins into the preheated oven.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, watching for a beautiful golden-brown crust that’s puffed and tempting.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Allow the pot pies to cool for 5 minutes.

This brief waiting period lets the filling set and prevents burning your tongue. Serve hot and enjoy the pizza-inspired comfort in a cute little dish.

Tips for Perfect Pizza Pot Pies

  • Use marinara sauce sparingly to prevent soggy bottoms in your pot pies.
  • Select high-quality meats and fresh vegetables for maximum flavor impact.
  • Experiment with different cheese combinations like adding parmesan or provolone for extra depth.
  • Create dairy-free versions by substituting mozzarella with vegan cheese alternatives.
  • Prep ramekins with non-stick spray for easy cleanup and seamless removal of pot pies.

Flavor Twists for Pizza Pot Pies

  • Gluten-Free Veggie Delight: Replace biscuit dough with gluten-free puff pastry and use plant-based cheese for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Keto Pizza Ramekins: Swap biscuit dough for a low-carb cauliflower crust and use high-fat cheeses like provolone and parmesan.
  • Mediterranean Inspiration: Substitute marinara with olive tapenade, add feta cheese, and include roasted red peppers and spinach for a Greek-style pot pie.
  • Seafood Special: Replace meat toppings with shrimp or crab, use cream cheese as a base, and sprinkle with fresh herbs for an oceanic pizza pot pie experience.

Serving Ideas for Pizza Pot Pies

  • Pizza Paradise Cups: Individual servings that transform classic pizza into adorable personal pot pies perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners.
  • Customizable Comfort Bowls: Mix and match toppings like crispy pepperoni, fresh vegetables, or spicy sausage to create personalized flavor combinations everyone will love.
  • Movie Night Munchies: Portable handheld pies that work brilliantly as game day snacks, teen party treats, or quick weeknight dinner solutions packed with cheesy goodness.
  • Family Fun Station: Let kids choose their own ingredients and help seal the pastry tops, turning meal prep into an interactive culinary adventure that sparks creativity and excitement.

FAQs

  • What are the key ingredients for Pizza Pot Pies?

The key ingredients include marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, your choice of pizza toppings like sausage or pepperoni, biscuit dough or puff pastry, olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.

  • Can I make these pot pies vegetarian?

Absolutely! Skip the meat and load up your ramekins with vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and spinach for a delicious vegetarian version.

  • Do I need special equipment to make this recipe?

You’ll need individual ramekins to create these personal-sized pot pies. If you don’t have ramekins, you can use oven-safe small bowls or a larger baking dish.

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Cheesy Pizza Pot Pies Recipe

Cheesy Pizza Pot Pies Recipe


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4.6 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Chicago-style pizza pot pies combine deep-dish comfort with playful culinary innovation. Hearty layers of cheese, meats, and vegetables nestle inside crispy pastry shells, promising a delightful meal you’ll savor with enthusiasm.


Ingredients

Scale

Pizza Toppings and Fillings:

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup cooked sausage or pepperoni
  • 1/4 cup chopped bell peppers
  • 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1/4 cup chopped onions

Sauce and Seasonings:

  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Dough:

  • 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (or puff pastry sheets)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously coat individual ramekins with cooking spray or butter.
  2. Spread a generous layer of marinara sauce across the bottom of each ramekin, creating a flavorful base.
  3. Strategically arrange your preferred pizza toppings like sausage, pepperoni, or vegetables evenly throughout the ramekin.
  4. Liberally sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the toppings, ensuring complete coverage.
  5. Carefully trim the biscuit dough or puff pastry to perfectly cover the ramekin’s diameter, then gently drape over the filled ramekins.
  6. Firmly press the pastry edges against the ramekin sides to create a tight seal, preventing filling from leaking.
  7. Delicately brush the pastry surface with olive oil for a golden sheen.
  8. Dust the pastry with garlic powder and Italian seasoning to enhance the flavor profile.
  9. Place ramekins in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the crust transforms into a puffy, golden-brown masterpiece.
  10. Remove from oven and allow the pot pies to rest for 5 minutes, allowing the filling to stabilize before serving.

Notes

  • Create mini personalized pizzas by using individual ramekins for a fun, customizable dining experience.
  • Experiment with different protein and vegetable combinations to match dietary preferences or clean out your refrigerator.
  • Swap traditional wheat-based dough with gluten-free biscuit or pastry options for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Enhance flavor complexity by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano directly into the marinara sauce layer before topping.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 15 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Jack Monroe

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education


Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.

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