Meatza Pie

Meatza Pie ready for the freezer.

Since Brian has developed type II diabetes we have changed some of our eating habits. Most notably there is no bread in the house. Which means no more ordering pizza delivery. This was one of our guilty pleasures since we moved to the apartment. We were like little kids on Christmas morning when the pizza guy knocked.

I miss pizza. So does Brian. So I started racking my brain for a recipe. Hmmmm.... I remember Pam making something she called Meatza Pie when she lived with us. Maybe I can make a version of that?

So this is what I came up with:

2 pounds of grass finished ground beef- keep it lean. You don't want a greasy pie.
6 whole wheat crackers crushed
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 of a large onion diced
1/2 of an orange pepper diced (you could use a green, yellow or red pepper. I just happened to have an orange one)
A splash of Catsup, a dash of hot sauce and a large pinch of oregano (dried or fresh)

Mix it all up good and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
While you wait, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 9 X 13 cake pan. I have one of those little bottles you pump up to pressurize oil. I put in olive oil or grape seed or safflower oil. I think it works better than a can of non-stick spray and I know for sure what's in it.

Now press the meat mixture into the bottom of the pan and up the sides. That's right  like a meat crust for a deep dish pizza.

Next:

Mix 1 egg with 8 ounces of Ricotta until smooth. Spread over the bottom of your meat crust.
Pour in 1 quart of spaghetti sauce. Preferably homemade, but that's not always possible. Just remember the better the sauce the better the pie! In the summer I think I'll try adding zucchini to the sauce. I'd love to add mushrooms but Brian doesn't eat fungus. He studies it, but he won't eat it.

Next add a sprinkling of freshly grated Parmesan, then a thin layer of shredded  mozzarella. Now add your toppings. Brian is partial to pepperoni so this time I layered it on. Meat on meat = Man Pie!

Next comes another layer of mozzarella. you could put it in the oven now if you like the cheese to be the top layer. I added another layer of pepperoni.

Put it in the oven until the cheese bubbles in the middle and is browned a bit around the edges. Check to be sure the meat is done. A meat thermometer should read 170 degrees when placed in the middle of your pie.

Take the pie out of the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting.

This freezes nicely so it's great to have in your freezer pantry. Just make sure to wrap it up tight so no air gets in.

ENJOY!

Let me know if you try this recipe and what things you change about it. I'd love to hear from you.

Dot

Shopping list:

• 2 lbs grass finished ground beef  - lean low fat content
• eggs- cage free, free range, organic, all natural - better yet fresh from your hens!
• onion
• Sweet pepper- red, yellow, green, orange - go wild and add some color + flavor
• Catsup- homemade if you have it.
• Hot sauce- we got some really great hot sauce at the farmers market
• Whole wheat crackers
• Oregano - dried or fresh. Remember it is easy to grow and doesn't take up much room on a sunny windowsill. :^)
• 8 oz. Ricotta
• Cheese: Parmesan, mozzarella ( fresh mozzarella is good too. I can't wait 'til we have a cow again so we can make our own.)
• Toppings of your choice: zucchini, mushrooms, pepperoni, olives. . . use your imagination.