Pizza Pot Pies (Mini Deep-Dish Cups in ~35 Minutes)

Easy homemade pizza flavor, cozy pot-pie format, kid-friendly, party-ready, and freezer-friendly

All your favorite pizza layers, sauce, gooey cheese, toppings, baked upside-down under a golden crust you crack with a spoon.

Why You’ll Love It

• Fast weeknight win: Uses pizza or biscuit dough for Easy Homemade Pizza in ~35 minutes (hands-off baking).
• Crowd-pleasing comfort: Individual cups = tidy Main Dish Recipes for game day or movie night.
• Flexible “pizza type” builder: Mix and match toppings for endless Pizza Type Recipes and Pizza Recipes Homemade.
• Freezer & meal-prep friendly: Assemble, chill, and bake later—great for busy weeks.

Ingredients (Notes Only)

Dough & Dairy

• Refrigerated pizza dough or large flaky biscuits (fast cap).
• Low-moisture mozzarella (stretch) + Parmesan (browning).
• 4–6 oz whole-milk ricotta (optional “deep-dish” richness).

Sauce

• Thick pizza sauce or crushed tomatoes cooked down (thicker = no soggy bottoms).
• Dried oregano, chili flakes, pinch sugar (if using tart tomatoes).

Toppings (pre-cook meats)

• Pepperoni (RTE), sautéed mushrooms, bell pepper, red onion, olives.
• Cooked Italian sausage (160°F/71°C), precooked chicken (165°F/74°C) if using.

Finishers

• Olive oil, garlic butter, dried Italian seasoning, fresh basil.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat: Oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly oil 6–8 oven-safe ramekins (8–10 oz each) or a jumbo muffin tin; place on a sheet pan.
2. Build the filling: Into each cup: 2 Tbsp sauce → 2–3 Tbsp mozzarella → toppings → 1 Tbsp ricotta (optional) → 1 Tbsp Parmesan. Keep headspace for dough.
3. Cap with dough:
   • Pizza dough: Roll to ⅛–¼”. Cut circles slightly larger than the ramekin.
   • Biscuits: Split thick biscuits horizontally to make thinner caps.
     Stretch over each cup; crimp edges down the sides to seal.
4. Vent & brush: Cut a small X in the center. Brush with olive oil or garlic butter; sprinkle Italian seasoning + a pinch of Parm.
5. Bake: 18–22 minutes until deep golden and bubbling at the vents. Rest 5 minutes (filling is lava-hot).
6. Serve: Run a thin knife around edges. Invert onto a plate (dome becomes base) or serve right in the cup and crack through the crust.

Pro Tips

• Thick sauce = success: Simmer watery sauce 5–8 minutes first.
• Dry toppings: Pat mushrooms/peppers; pre-sauté to drive off moisture.
• Golden tops: A second butter brush at minute 15 boosts color.
• Cheese pull: Layer cheese both under and over toppings for extra stretch.
• Batching: Bake on a preheated sheet pan for stronger bottom heat.

Variations (Mapped to Interests)

• Classic Pepperoni “Deep Dish” (Delicious Pizza / Homemade Pizza): Extra mozz + Parm cap.
• Supreme (Pizza Recipes): Sausage (160°F), mushrooms, peppers, onion, olives.
• BBQ Chicken (Pizza Type Recipes): Swap BBQ sauce + cooked chicken (165°F), red onion, cilantro.
• Veggie Lovers (Pizza Recipes Homemade): Spinach, mushrooms, peppers, olives + ricotta.
• Breakfast Cups (Main Meals → Breakfast Lunch Dinner): Scramble egg 80% done, mix with cheese + cooked bacon; bake to set.

How to Serve

Plate with a simple salad or roasted veg. For a bigger spread, pair with cozy casseroles like Chicken and Stuffing Casserole, a plant-forward side like Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole, and a sweet tray of Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Make Ahead & Storage

• Assemble ahead: Fill and cap; refrigerate up to 24 hrs (brush with oil just before baking).
• Freeze unbaked: Wrap tightly; bake from frozen at 375°F 30–35 min, tenting if browning too fast.
• Leftovers: Fridge 3–4 days; reheat 375°F 10–12 min on a sheet pan to re-crisp.

FAQs

Can I use muffin tins?
Yes—jumbo tins work best; lightly oil and fill just below rim.

Why is my crust pale?
Raise rack to upper-middle and finish with a 1–2 minute broil.

Do I have to invert them?
No—serve in the ramekin and break the top; less mess, same drama.

Simple Nutrition (Estimate • per 1 of 6)

Calories 410 • Protein 18g • Carbs 39g • Fat 20g • Sodium varies
Estimates depend on dough, cheese, and toppings.