Cheesy Stuffed Beef & Pepperoni Pizza

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A hearty, deep-dish style pizza packed with seasoned ground beef, melted mozzarella, and pepperoni, topped with rich pizza sauce and herbs. The thick golden crust holds a delicious cheesy meat filling, making it perfect for a family dinner or weekend treat.

Ingredients

For the dough

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the beef filling

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce

For assembling

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar or provolone, optional
  • 20–25 pepperoni slices
  • 1 to 1½ cups pizza sauce
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough

  1. Combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the flour, salt, and olive oil.
  3. Mix until a soft dough forms.
  4. Knead for about 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  5. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the beef

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes.
  3. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and fully cooked.
  4. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  5. Stir in ½ cup pizza sauce and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
  6. Remove from the heat and let the beef cool slightly.

3. Assemble the stuffed pizza

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Grease a deep 9-inch or 10-inch round baking pan.
  3. Divide the dough into two pieces, with one slightly larger than the other.
  4. Roll out the larger piece and press it into the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
  5. Add a layer of mozzarella.
  6. Spread the seasoned ground beef evenly over the cheese.
  7. Add another layer of mozzarella and some pepperoni.
  8. Cover with the second piece of rolled-out dough and pinch the edges together to seal.
  9. Spread pizza sauce over the top.
  10. Arrange the remaining pepperoni over the sauce.
  11. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and optional cheddar or provolone.

4. Bake

  1. Brush the exposed crust with melted butter.
  2. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
  3. Bake for 25–35 minutes, until the crust is deeply golden and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
  4. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover it with foil during the final part of baking.

5. Finish and serve

Remove from the oven and let the pizza rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set and makes it easier to serve.

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

Tips

  • Use freshly shredded mozzarella for the best melt.
  • Drain excess fat from the ground beef before assembling.
  • Don’t overfill the pizza, or the center may become difficult to cook.
  • For an extra-crispy bottom, preheat the greased pan before adding the dough.
  • Add mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or cooked sausage for extra toppings.
  • For the pictured appearance, use plenty of pepperoni and finish with fresh chopped parsley.

Serving

Cut into thick wedges and serve with a green salad, roasted vegetables, or garlic bread.

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