Deep-Dish Cheeseburger Pizza

This hearty Deep-Dish Cheeseburger Pizza combines a thick, buttery crust with seasoned ground beef, peppers, rich pizza sauce, and loads of gooey mozzarella and cheddar. It’s like a cheeseburger and deep-dish pizza rolled into one incredibly satisfying comfort-food dinner.

Ingredients

For the Crust

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

For the Cheeseburger Filling

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 small green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
• ½ cup diced tomatoes, drained

Cheese & Toppings

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• 15–20 pepperoni slices
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, for finishing
• Fresh parsley or oregano, optional

 Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.

Add the flour, salt, olive oil, and melted butter. Mix until a soft dough forms.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

2. Cook the Beef

While the dough rises, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart as it browns.

Drain excess grease if necessary.

Add the diced onion and green pepper. Cook for another 4–5 minutes, until softened.

Add the garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and onion powder. Cook for another minute.

Stir in the pizza sauce and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 3–5 minutes, then remove from the heat.

Allow the beef mixture to cool slightly.

3. Prepare the Deep-Dish Pan

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

Generously grease a 9–10-inch deep-dish or springform pan with butter or olive oil.

Press the risen dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan, creating a thick raised edge.

4. Build the Pizza

For a deep-dish effect, layer the ingredients rather than simply scattering everything on top.

Start with:

1. Half of the mozzarella
2. The seasoned ground beef mixture
3. Remaining mozzarella
4. Cheddar cheese
5. Parmesan cheese
6. Pepperoni slices

Make sure the toppings are spread evenly all the way to the edges.

5. Bake

Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25–35 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, bubbling, and deeply browned.

If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil during the final portion of baking.

For an extra-crispy cheese topping, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching carefully.

6. Rest Before Cutting

Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to rest for 10–15 minutes.

This is important because the filling will be extremely hot and needs time to set.

Carefully remove the pizza from the pan, slice into thick wedges, and serve warm.

 Optional Cheeseburger Toppings

For even more cheeseburger flavor, add:

• Crispy bacon
• Pickles
• Caramelized onions
• Jalapeños
• Mushrooms
• Extra cheddar
• Crispy fried onions
• Diced tomatoes
• Burger sauce drizzle

 Easy Burger Sauce

Mix together:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped pickles
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Drizzle over individual slices just before serving.

 Tips for the Best Deep-Dish Pizza

Don’t overload the crust: Keep the toppings evenly distributed so the center cooks properly.

Drain the beef: Excess grease can make the bottom crust soggy.

Cool the filling slightly: Adding very hot beef directly to the dough can interfere with the crust baking properly.

Use low-moisture mozzarella: It melts beautifully without releasing too much water.

Let it rest: A 10–15 minute rest makes slicing much easier and keeps the layers together.

Serving Ideas

Serve this deep-dish cheeseburger pizza with:

• Crispy French fries
• Onion rings
• Coleslaw
• Pickle spears
• Simple green salad
• Garlic bread

 Recipe Details

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours
Servings: 6–8 hearty slices