Description

These Pizza Pot Pies are a fun and delicious twist on classic pizza, baked individually in ramekins with a crispy crust, gooey melted cheese, and your favorite toppings. Perfect for a cozy dinner or party appetizer, they combine the convenience of pizza dough with the charm of pot pies for a handheld treat everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Pizza Dough

1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade pizza dough)

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)

Finishing

Olive oil for brushing (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the pot pies and ensure even cooking.
Prepare Ramekins: Lightly grease 4-6 small ramekins or oven-safe bowls depending on their size to prevent the dough from sticking.
Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to about 1/8 inch thickness to create a thin, even crust.
Cut Dough: Cut the dough into circles or squares large enough to fit inside the ramekins, allowing about 1 inch overhang for sealing and covering the filling.
Form Crusts: Gently press the dough into the bottom and sides of each ramekin, shaping a crust that will hold the filling securely.
Add Sauce: Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of marinara or pizza sauce into the bottom of each crust to create a flavorful base layer.
Layer Cheese: Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce for melty cheesiness.
Add Toppings: Place a few slices of pepperoni or your preferred toppings such as sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives on top of the cheese.
Season: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, basil, garlic powder, and optional red pepper flakes over the toppings to enhance flavor.
Top with Cheese and Seal: Add more shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the fillings, then fold the overhanging dough over the top to partially cover and seal the pot pie.
Brush with Olive Oil: Optionally brush the tops of the dough with olive oil to achieve a golden, glossy finish after baking.
Bake: Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Cool: Allow the pies to cool for 5 minutes to let the filling set slightly and make handling easier.
Serve: Serve the pizza pot pies hot, accompanied by extra marinara sauce for dipping if desired.

Notes

You can customize the toppings by substituting pepperoni with sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or any of your favorites.
If you prefer a spicier twist, add extra red pepper flakes or use a spicy marinara sauce.
Brushing the dough with olive oil before baking enhances browning but can be omitted for lower fat.
These pot pies can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving to save time.
Ensure ramekins are oven-safe to prevent breakage during baking.
Allow the pies to cool slightly after baking to avoid burning your mouth from hot filling.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: pizza pot pies, individual pizza pies, mini pizza pies, easy pizza recipe, baked pizza, party appetizers