This Deep Dish Pizza with Pasta Crust is a  sponsored recipe written by me on behalf of PAM Cooking Spray.
I’m excited to share this fun deep dish pizza recipe with you. The crust is made with cute star-shaped pasta instead of a traditional pizza crust, and…
Ahem, would you look at me while I’m talking to you please? Oh, I see. You can’t take your eyes off that gorgeous Le Creuset pie dish, right? It was a gift, and I’m trying to keep it nice by always using PAM Cooking Spray to prevent foods from sticking. I can hardly function in the kitchen without my cooking spray, and I was happy to learn that now PAM leaves 99% less residue. I don’t know about you, but I’m not crazy about the baked-on, sticky film some cooking sprays can leave behind even after washing the pan.
Now, back to the tasty deep dish pizza. This hearty meal is adapted from a recipe that used orzo for the crust. As soon as I saw these cute, teeny stars (called Stelline), I knew I had to use them in this recipe! Make sure you remember the PAM for this one though because baking pasta without cooking spray is just asking for trouble! We all have baking disasters, (like that time I forgot to add the sugar to the pumpkin pie), but food sticking to the pan doesn’t need to be one of them.
This deep dish pizza pie is simple to make and oh so good. Not only would it be perfect for you family dinner, it would also be a crowd pleaser at a potluck!
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 45 minutes |
| Servings |
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- 1 1/2 c. stelline or orzo pasta (these are both tiny, like grains of rice.)
- 2 beaten eggs
- 1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
- 2 c. marinara sauce divided
- 1 lb. ground Italian sausage pork or turkey
- 6 oz. baby spinach roughly chopped
- 1/2 c. ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 c. Italian blend shredded cheese
Ingredients
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Rate this recipe!
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- Preheate oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 10" pie dish with PAM cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water for a few seconds.
- Stir together eggs, parmesan cheese, and 1/2 c. marinara sauce until well combined. Stir in drained pasta until evenly coated. Pour pasta mixture into prepared pie dish, and press evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan to form the crust.
- Spray a 12" skillet with PAM and heat over medium-high heat. Add sausage, and brown and crumble meat until cooked through. Add spinach, and stir and saute until spinach is completely cooked and wilted. Drain meat and spinach mixture very well. (The draining step is important! Too much liquid will cause the crust to fall apart.)
- Return the meat and spinach to the skillet or a large mixing bowl, and stir in ricotta cheese. Spread sausage mixture evenly into pasta crust.
- Spread remaining 1 1/2 c. marinara (or as much as sauce as you like) over the sausage, and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle cheese evenly over the top, and bake an additional 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow to stand about 10 minutes before cutting.
Adapted from Better Homes and Garden's Home for Dinner
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of PAM Cooking Spray.
Angela Gilmore says
What a great idea to use star pasta as a pie crust, and I love how this dish comes together; so creative. Stopping by from #SITSBlogging.
Andi says
Thank you, Angela! It’s great to meet you. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Chrystal Thurston says
I have been wondering what to do with those tiny little pastas, thank you! I’ll make this recipe, sounds great!
Andi says
I hope you like it, Chrystal! I have another recipe coming up with star pasta, maybe this week, so you can use up the rest of the box :) Thanks so much for your visit!
Andi says
Thank you to all who left a comment and entered the PAM sweepstakes. We have a winner! Congratulations to Laura Houston! I still welcome your comments about the pizza or the pan or life in general, but the contest has ended. Thanks again!
Kristen says
My 7 year old son would love this pie crust. The only problem is that he is allergic to eggs, is there something else I could use to hold it together??
Andi says
Hi, Kristen! I can’t say how it will work for sure since I haven’t tried it yet, but what about stirring in an additional 1/2 c. of ricotta with the pasta? I think that would hold it together. Honestly, even if it falls apart a bit when you serve it, it will still taste as good! Thanks so much for stopping by :)
Kristen Bucknam says
My son is allergic to eggs, could something else be used in their place??
Rochel S says
I would make a cherry pie!! yummm! Or maybe Mushroom Quiche. Cant decide :)
Andi says
Those are two pretty opposite choices, but both sound really good, Rochel! Good luck in the giveaway, and thanks for your visit!
Chastidy says
Yum!! This looks YUMMY, I think I will try to make a Pecan Pie :)
Andi says
That sounds good, Chastidy, and this big pie dish will make a big one! Thanks so much for your visit!
Debra Sauvageau says
Since you now have me craving pizza and spinach…lol…the first thing I will make will be a deep dish spinach & cheese pizza :)
Andi says
Thanks, Debra! I sure hope you like it as much as we did!
Cassandra Davis says
If I win the first thing I’m going I make is a delicious pumpkin pie! Thanks for the giveaway & recipe, which I’m going to try after my pie!
Andi says
Sounds good, and thank you! Good luck in the giveaway, Cassandra!
Karen F says
I think the first thing I would make in it would be a peach cobbler.
Andi says
That sounds really good, Karen! I use frozen peaches for recipes all year round. Thanks for your comment!
Kathryn C says
I think my first creation would have to be a blueberry crumble crisp pie- my mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Andi says
Mine is too! :) Thanks for the great recipe idea, and good luck in the giveaway!
Ellen Harry says
If I win the le creuset pie dish I would try and make a chicken pot pie. Le Creuset is a dream to me!
D Schmidt says
I would make a salted caramel apple pie because my parents are coming to visit and insanely picky (sadly) so its something I know they would eat without complaint.
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com
Stacy says
I would be making a vegan apple pie with caramels in that beautiful pie pan!
Susan Broughton says
This is a very inventive recipe! I’m going to have to give this a try myself!
Andi says
Thanks, Susan! I really hope you like it, and thanks for your comment :)
Misha Estrada says
I would make a chocolate meringue pie.
Andi says
Ooh yum! I have had chocolate pie with whipped cream topping but never meringue. Sounds really good!
Robin Wilson says
I would make a Pecan Pie! Then I would try your awesome recipe! Thank you for the giveaway!
Andi says
That sounds good, Robin. Thank you so much for comment, and good luck!
Lesley F says
I would make a Chicken Pot Pie!
Andi says
That sounds really good. Do you use a pie crust on top or more like a biscuit topping?
Lesley F says
I like using a pie crust! Yummy & flaky
Annemarie Z. says
I would make a pumpkin pie!
Andi says
Pumpkin pie is always a hit, Annemarie. Thanks for stopping by!
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
I’d make an apple pie w/ streusel topping!
Gloria Phillips says
I’ve been eye balling this …and I have to admit that I really want to make your recipe with my brand new Le Creuset pie dish…matches my kitchen. So see…it’s perfect for me! (I love your deep dish pizzas, Andi! I’m your biggest fan! seriously)
Andi says
You are too sweet, Gloria! This pizza is less work than the other deep dish pizza. Let me know if you try either one. I was so excited to get this red pan because it matches my kitchen too! I have red Le Creuset canisters that I splurged on a few years ago and the red dutch oven that was a gift. Our kitchen is actually green with light wood, but we have red accents all over the place.
sarah cool says
if i win i will make a casserole
Andi says
Hi, Sarah. Casseroles are big winners in my book. I love to have dinner all in one dish. Thanks for your comment!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
Ummmmm… this?? lol! ;) I LOVE that you used pasta for the “crust”- how creative!
Andi says
Thank you, Carrie!
Zoe says
I would make pumpkin pie, it’s our favorite!
Andi says
Hi, Zoe. Pumpkin is my favorite too, any time of year!
Dana says
this looks so different-I can’t wait to try it. I would make a pie first
Andi says
Hi, Dana. I hope you like the pizza if you try it. What kind of pies do you like to make? I actually make cookies and cake more often than pies, but I will for sure be making a pumpkin one for Thanksgiving! Thanks for your comment :)
Alyssa says
This looks great! I would have never thought to use pasta for a crust, that is a great idea.
Andi says
Thank you, Alyssa! I can’t take the credit for coming up with the idea since I found the original version in a cookbook. That one didn’t have sausage or stars though, so I say I win ;) Thank you so much for coming over. I love your gingerbread bars too!
ELIZABETH C. says
I would Definately make a pecan pie. My family would LOVE IT !! And Wow! The recipe looks great!
Andi says
Thank you, Elizabeth! I love that we have so many traditionalists here who want apple, pecan, and pumpkin pies first :) Thank you for stopping by.
Denise says
Wow! What a gorgeous pizza and Le Crueset pie dish. I was going to say I’d make a pumpkin pie first but this deep dish pizza looks way too delish. Yummy!
Andi says
Thanks, Denise! We just polished off the rest of this pasta pizza today. It’s good leftover too :)
Gretchen says
I would make spinach quiche w/ crust from scratch. Yum!
Andi says
That sounds delicious, Gretchen! Thanks for stopping by :)
sandy says
I would make a holday pie in the pan. I could bring the pie to the table to serve it,
Andi says
Hi, Sandy. You are right that this dish would be beautiful to bring to the table. What kind of pie do you like to make for the holidays?
Casandra says
I may try to make this amazing looking Sausage and Spinach Deep Dish pizza! My husband literally started drooling when I asked him if he wanted me to try to make this….so I guess thats a yes? Thanks so much for the recipe and fun giveaway!
Andi says
Thank you, Cassandra! I hope your husband didn’t drool on your computer ;) Let me know how you like the recipe!
Robin Chesser says
The first thing I’d make in the Le Creuset pie dish is an old family favorite, spaghetti pie! It’s been handed done from generation to generation and must be kept like a state secret, no one outside of the family is allowed to know what exactly is in it!
Andi says
Hi, Robin. Spaghetti pie sounds delicious, and now you’ve made me so curious as to what’s in it!
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
This is a dish the DIY Guy would love! Pinning!
Andi says
Thank you, Deb! It’s a pretty fun recipe :)
Peppin says
I would make a pumpkin pie. We still have all of these pumpkins to use up.
Andi says
Hi, Peppin. I’m impressed that you make your pies with real pumpkins. I always just use canned purees and only buy pumpkins for decoration! Thanks for your visit :)
Mary Beth Elderton says
This looks amazing! *pinned* I might make this very pie first thing. I might also make a sweet potato pie–I’m sort of the keeper of my grandmother’s recipe.
Andi says
Hi, Mary Beth! I need to get in on sweet potato pie. I’ve only made pumpkin pies, but I tried sweet potato one year and liked it just as much. Thanks for stopping by!
Angela Kinder says
I would totally make a real Texas Pecan Pie that is thick and rich. Yum!
Andi says
I’m from Mississippi. Is the pecan pie different in Texas? I’ll have to look into that! Thanks for stopping by, Angela :)
Jennifer says
Looks yummy!
Andi says
Thanks, Jennifer!
Talya Gulman says
No questions here apple pie all the way.
Andi says
Another apple pie vote! Will you have apple pie at Thanksgiving this year? I’m only planning on making pumpkin pie (maybe pumpkin cheesecake), but I might make two desserts.
Meredith says
I would make an apple pie! Ever since the weather changed I’ve had a bad craving!
This recipe looks delicious!
Andi says
Apple pie seems to be very popular! Maybe I need to come up with an apple pie recipe next :) Thanks for your comment!
G Andolina says
I’m going to do this useing broccoli rabe instead of spinach. Trader’s Joes has an organic marinara sauce with basil that would be perfect for this.
Andi says
That will be great I’m sure. I used an organic marinara too but not from TJs this time. I do love their stuff though! Thanks for stopping by :)
Claire @ A Little Claireification says
Ok, you are too funny and I am DROOLING over this recipe, Andi!!! I will definitely be trying this one!! YUM! Pinning now!! xo
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
I almost fell on the floor when you said “Ahem, would you look at me while I’m talking to you please?” because I was literally too distracted to read and kept looking at the little star pastas in the pics. Lol. This pizza is insane! Insanely awesome, that is!! I cannot wait to try this. :)
Andi says
Isn’t that pasta so cute?? I still have a little left and will throw it in soup or something next time. Thank you for such a sweet comment, Tina. I’m happy you like the pizza!
Dana Rodriguez says
That recipe looks delicious!I pinned it so I can try this~I am sure my fiance’ would love it.He loves all of the ingredients in this so I am sure it will be a hit.I have been craving Granny Smith apples so I think the first think I would bake is an apple pecan pie :)
Andi says
Thank you, Dana! Apple pecan pie sounds delicious! Does it have a pecan topping, or is there a crust on top and pecans are baked inside?
Dana Rodriguez says
Brown sugar crust with pecans.So good with ice cream :)
Dana Rodriguez says
As in topping I meant to say!
Andi says
Ooh, that sounds really good!
Jamey says
The first thing I would make in this dish, is a cranberry apple pie. Your recipe looks delicious, but I would leave out the sausage, and maybe add mushrooms to make it vegetarian :)
Andi says
I love cranberry and apple together. I used to make a cranberry apple crumble that I forgot about. I need to find that recipe! The original recipe I adapted this pizza from was vegetarian, and mushrooms would be a really good addition. Thanks so much for your comment, Jamey :)
Jamey says
I love that you take time to reply to everyone’s comments, very nice! :)
Andi says
Thanks, Jamey! I love getting comments, so it’s my pleasure to reply! Enjoy your weekend :)
Katherine Moyes says
Wow! Would never have thought to use pasta as a crust! Yum :) I think I would make my favorite favorite favorite 5-fruit pie in this adorable dish: strawberries, rhubarb, apples, raspberries, and blackberries.
Andi says
That is a lot of fruits, Katy! I think they would all fit in this big pie dish. It’s so nice to hear from you :)
Alecia k. says
The first thing I would make is a breakfast quiche!
Andi says
Oh yum, that would be delicious, Alecia! Since this dish is on the large side, your quiche could feed a crowd. Thanks so much for stopping by :)
Susanna says
I do think I would try to make this Sausage and Spinach Deep Dish Pizza with a Le Creuset pie dish haha… the pictures make me drool ; ;
Andi says
Thanks, Susanna! I hope you get a chance to try the recipe, and good luck in the contest!
emilyd says
Andi this recipe is brilliant! I cannot wait to make this for my hubby, pinning!
Andi says
Thank you so much, Emily! xo
Laura Houston says
This looks delicious and I’m glad to see you can substitute the ricotta (not a fan). I’m looking forward to trying this next week. Heading to the store tomorrow for my weeks groceries; I’ll be sure to add a few more groceries.
Andi says
Thanks, Laura! If you try it with cream cheese instead of ricotta, let me know how it turns out. Cream cheese only makes things better if you ask me ;) Thank you for stopping by!
Rona says
In my new Le Creuset pie dish, I would make Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza with Pasta Crust! :-)
Btw, can I leave out the ricotta or sub something besides cottage cheese?
Andi says
You are sweet, Rona! You could definitely leave out the ricotta or maybe try cream cheese instead. You can’t really tell the ricotta is there since it’s a pretty small amount.