If you love pizza and crave comfort food but don’t want to deal with dough from scratch, this Easy Beef Pizza Pie is about to become your go-to weeknight hero. It’s cheesy, meaty, saucy, and incredibly satisfying—with all the deliciousness of your favorite pizza, baked into a hearty pie that’s ready in under an hour. It’s a perfect fusion of two classic favorites, and it delivers big on flavor with minimal effort. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, hungry teens, or just looking to switch things up from the usual spaghetti night, this recipe ticks all the boxes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Convenient: No kneading, no waiting for dough to rise. This comes together in a flash with pantry staples.
- Family Favorite: Kids and adults both love it—it’s basically pizza in a pie form, what’s not to love?
- Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients based on what you have or what your crew likes.
- Perfect for Busy Nights: It bakes while you clean up, so dinner’s practically on autopilot.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you need to bring this cheesy, beefy masterpiece to life:
- Ground Beef: The star of the show—adds richness, texture, and savory flavor. Go for lean to keep it from getting too greasy.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the beef. Dice it small so it blends right in.
- Pizza Sauce: Provides the classic, zesty tomato base we all crave in pizza.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully over the top, giving that gooey, stretchy, pizza-like finish.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharpness and a golden-baked color—delicious contrast to mozzarella.
- Crescent Roll Dough: This is your “crust” shortcut—just unroll, press into the pan, and it puffs up perfectly.
- Italian Seasoning: A simple blend that instantly gives the beef mixture that unmistakable pizza flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic seasoning to balance and bring out all the other flavors.
- Optional Toppings: Think pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, or green bell peppers—whatever your pizza heart desires.
Variations
- Spicy Beef Pizza Pie: Add crushed red pepper flakes or swap ground beef with spicy Italian sausage.
- Veggie Lover’s Version: Skip the beef and load up on sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and spinach.
- Chicken Pizza Pie: Use ground or shredded cooked chicken instead of beef and switch the sauce to a garlic Alfredo or BBQ base.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free biscuit or pizza dough instead of crescent rolls.
- Low-Carb Swap: Make it crustless! Just pour the beef mixture into a greased dish, top with cheese, and bake.
How to Make Easy Beef Pizza Pie
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Crust
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Unroll the crescent dough and press it into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a greased pie dish or 9-inch baking dish. Press the seams together to form one crust. Set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are soft. Drain any excess fat.
Step 3: Add Flavor
Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes so the flavors meld.
Step 4: Assemble the Pie
Spoon the beef mixture over the crescent dough crust. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese generously on top. Add any extra pizza toppings here if desired.
Step 5: Bake
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Step 6: Cool Slightly and Serve
Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps everything set up so it doesn’t fall apart.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Drain the Beef Well: Too much grease will make the crust soggy, so be sure to drain thoroughly.
- Cheese on Top Last: Layer cheese last so it melts into that irresistible golden blanket.
- Press Dough Evenly: Make sure the dough isn’t too thick in the middle or too thin on the edges—an even crust ensures a perfect bite.
- Don’t Overload Toppings: Keep it balanced so it cooks evenly and doesn’t get too heavy.
How to Serve
This Beef Pizza Pie is super satisfying all on its own, but here’s how to make it a full meal:
With a Side Salad:
Serve with a crisp Caesar salad or a simple green salad with balsamic vinaigrette to balance the richness.
Dipping Sauces:
Offer a little ranch, garlic aioli, or extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
Game Night Favorite:
Cut into squares and serve on a platter for a casual gathering or game night—like pizza, but easier to handle.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store cooled slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It reheats well and is great for lunches!
Freezing
You can freeze the whole pie or individual portions. Wrap tightly in foil and place in a freezer-safe bag. It’ll keep for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or microwave individual slices for 1-2 minutes. For a crispier crust, use an air fryer!
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles work just as well and still taste amazing with the sauce and cheese.
Do I need to pre-bake the crescent dough crust?
Nope! It bakes up perfectly with the filling on top—just press it into the dish and go.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep the beef filling and even assemble the whole pie, then refrigerate it uncooked for up to 24 hours. Just bake when you’re ready to eat.
What can I use instead of crescent dough?
Refrigerated biscuit dough, puff pastry, or even a par-baked pie crust all work beautifully if you don’t have crescent dough on hand.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Beef Pizza Pie is the kind of recipe that makes weeknight dinners feel fun again. It’s fast, flavorful, and full of comfort—and the best part is how simple it is to customize. Whether you’re cooking for family, hosting friends, or just craving something cheesy and hearty, give this a try. It’s bound to be a repeat on your dinner rotation!
PrintEasy Beef Pizza Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Description
An easy and hearty beef pizza pie that combines ground beef, pizza sauce, cheese, and a biscuit crust for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until beef is browned and onion is soft. Drain excess fat.
- Add pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder if using. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Press biscuit dough into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish to form a crust.
- Spoon the beef mixture into the biscuit crust and spread evenly.
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can add pepperoni or cooked sausage for more flavor.
- Feel free to mix in some chopped bell peppers or mushrooms.
- Use a deep-dish pie pan for more filling if desired.