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You are here: Home / Recipes / Sausage and Spinach Deep Dish Pizza with Pasta Crust

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Sausage and Spinach Deep Dish Pizza with Pasta Crust

This Deep Dish Pizza with Pasta Crust is a  sponsored recipe written by me on behalf of PAM Cooking Spray.

Deep Dish Pizza with Pasta Crust

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…

Deep Dish Pizza with Pasta Crust

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.

Deep Dish Pizza with Pasta Crust

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.

Deep Dish Pizza with Pasta Crust

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!

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Deep Dish Pizza with Pasta Crust

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of PAM Cooking Spray.

Print Recipe
Sausage and Spinach Deep Dish Pizza with Pasta Crust
You will love this fun twist on deep dish pizza!
Deep Dish Pizza with Pasta Crust
Votes: 0
Rating: 0
You:
Rate this recipe!
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 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
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 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
Deep Dish Pizza with Pasta Crust
Votes: 0
Rating: 0
You:
Rate this recipe!
Instructions
  1. Preheate oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 10" pie dish with PAM cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water for a few seconds.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.)
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
Recipe Notes

Adapted from Better Homes and Garden's Home for Dinner


98 Comments

Comments

  1. Angela Gilmore says

    February 15, 2014 at 11:16 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Andi says

      February 15, 2014 at 12:01 pm

      Thank you, Angela! It’s great to meet you. Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Reply
  2. Chrystal Thurston says

    January 19, 2014 at 3:25 am

    I have been wondering what to do with those tiny little pastas, thank you! I’ll make this recipe, sounds great!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      January 19, 2014 at 8:01 am

      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!

      Reply
  3. Andi says

    November 26, 2013 at 7:27 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      January 8, 2014 at 6:55 pm

      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??

      Reply
      • Andi says

        January 8, 2014 at 11:16 pm

        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 :)

        Reply
    • Kristen Bucknam says

      January 8, 2014 at 7:03 pm

      My son is allergic to eggs, could something else be used in their place??

      Reply
  4. Rochel S says

    November 25, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    I would make a cherry pie!! yummm! Or maybe Mushroom Quiche. Cant decide :)

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 25, 2013 at 9:35 pm

      Those are two pretty opposite choices, but both sound really good, Rochel! Good luck in the giveaway, and thanks for your visit!

      Reply
  5. Chastidy says

    November 25, 2013 at 6:35 pm

    Yum!! This looks YUMMY, I think I will try to make a Pecan Pie :)

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 25, 2013 at 9:34 pm

      That sounds good, Chastidy, and this big pie dish will make a big one! Thanks so much for your visit!

      Reply
  6. Debra Sauvageau says

    November 25, 2013 at 6:23 pm

    Since you now have me craving pizza and spinach…lol…the first thing I will make will be a deep dish spinach & cheese pizza :)

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 25, 2013 at 9:33 pm

      Thanks, Debra! I sure hope you like it as much as we did!

      Reply
  7. Cassandra Davis says

    November 25, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 25, 2013 at 9:33 pm

      Sounds good, and thank you! Good luck in the giveaway, Cassandra!

      Reply
  8. Karen F says

    November 25, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    I think the first thing I would make in it would be a peach cobbler.

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 25, 2013 at 9:33 pm

      That sounds really good, Karen! I use frozen peaches for recipes all year round. Thanks for your comment!

      Reply
  9. Kathryn C says

    November 25, 2013 at 8:09 am

    I think my first creation would have to be a blueberry crumble crisp pie- my mouth is watering just thinking about it!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 25, 2013 at 9:32 pm

      Mine is too! :) Thanks for the great recipe idea, and good luck in the giveaway!

      Reply
  10. Ellen Harry says

    November 24, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    If I win the le creuset pie dish I would try and make a chicken pot pie. Le Creuset is a dream to me!

    Reply
  11. D Schmidt says

    November 24, 2013 at 5:45 pm

    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.
    [email protected]

    Reply
  12. Stacy says

    November 24, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    I would be making a vegan apple pie with caramels in that beautiful pie pan!

    Reply
  13. Susan Broughton says

    November 24, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    This is a very inventive recipe! I’m going to have to give this a try myself!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 24, 2013 at 7:04 pm

      Thanks, Susan! I really hope you like it, and thanks for your comment :)

      Reply
  14. Misha Estrada says

    November 24, 2013 at 2:30 pm

    I would make a chocolate meringue pie.

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 24, 2013 at 7:04 pm

      Ooh yum! I have had chocolate pie with whipped cream topping but never meringue. Sounds really good!

      Reply
  15. Robin Wilson says

    November 24, 2013 at 11:22 am

    I would make a Pecan Pie! Then I would try your awesome recipe! Thank you for the giveaway!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 24, 2013 at 7:02 pm

      That sounds good, Robin. Thank you so much for comment, and good luck!

      Reply
  16. Lesley F says

    November 24, 2013 at 9:54 am

    I would make a Chicken Pot Pie!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 24, 2013 at 7:00 pm

      That sounds really good. Do you use a pie crust on top or more like a biscuit topping?

      Reply
      • Lesley F says

        November 24, 2013 at 7:05 pm

        I like using a pie crust! Yummy & flaky

        Reply
  17. Annemarie Z. says

    November 24, 2013 at 9:28 am

    I would make a pumpkin pie!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 24, 2013 at 6:59 pm

      Pumpkin pie is always a hit, Annemarie. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  18. Patricia Wojnar Crowley says

    November 24, 2013 at 7:23 am

    I’d make an apple pie w/ streusel topping!

    Reply
  19. Gloria Phillips says

    November 23, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    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)

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:42 pm

      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.

      Reply
  20. sarah cool says

    November 23, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    if i win i will make a casserole

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:05 pm

      Hi, Sarah. Casseroles are big winners in my book. I love to have dinner all in one dish. Thanks for your comment!

      Reply
  21. Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says

    November 23, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    Ummmmm… this?? lol! ;) I LOVE that you used pasta for the “crust”- how creative!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:03 pm

      Thank you, Carrie!

      Reply
  22. Zoe says

    November 23, 2013 at 11:59 am

    I would make pumpkin pie, it’s our favorite!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:01 pm

      Hi, Zoe. Pumpkin is my favorite too, any time of year!

      Reply
  23. Dana says

    November 23, 2013 at 11:35 am

    this looks so different-I can’t wait to try it. I would make a pie first

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:00 pm

      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 :)

      Reply
  24. ELIZABETH C. says

    November 23, 2013 at 10:03 am

    I would Definately make a pecan pie. My family would LOVE IT !! And Wow! The recipe looks great!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 8:55 pm

      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.

      Reply
  25. Denise says

    November 23, 2013 at 9:56 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 8:54 pm

      Thanks, Denise! We just polished off the rest of this pasta pizza today. It’s good leftover too :)

      Reply
  26. Gretchen says

    November 23, 2013 at 12:15 am

    I would make spinach quiche w/ crust from scratch. Yum!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:22 am

      That sounds delicious, Gretchen! Thanks for stopping by :)

      Reply
  27. sandy says

    November 22, 2013 at 9:53 pm

    I would make a holday pie in the pan. I could bring the pie to the table to serve it,

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:21 am

      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?

      Reply
  28. Casandra says

    November 22, 2013 at 8:56 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:21 am

      Thank you, Cassandra! I hope your husband didn’t drool on your computer ;) Let me know how you like the recipe!

      Reply
  29. Robin Chesser says

    November 22, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:20 am

      Hi, Robin. Spaghetti pie sounds delicious, and now you’ve made me so curious as to what’s in it!

      Reply
  30. [email protected] says

    November 22, 2013 at 7:34 pm

    This is a dish the DIY Guy would love! Pinning!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:20 am

      Thank you, Deb! It’s a pretty fun recipe :)

      Reply
  31. Peppin says

    November 22, 2013 at 6:14 pm

    I would make a pumpkin pie. We still have all of these pumpkins to use up.

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:20 am

      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 :)

      Reply
  32. Mary Beth Elderton says

    November 22, 2013 at 6:06 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:19 am

      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!

      Reply
  33. Angela Kinder says

    November 22, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    I would totally make a real Texas Pecan Pie that is thick and rich. Yum!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 22, 2013 at 6:05 pm

      I’m from Mississippi. Is the pecan pie different in Texas? I’ll have to look into that! Thanks for stopping by, Angela :)

      Reply
  34. Jennifer says

    November 22, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    Looks yummy!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 22, 2013 at 6:05 pm

      Thanks, Jennifer!

      Reply
  35. Talya Gulman says

    November 22, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    No questions here apple pie all the way.

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 22, 2013 at 6:03 pm

      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.

      Reply
  36. Meredith says

    November 22, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    I would make an apple pie! Ever since the weather changed I’ve had a bad craving!
    This recipe looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 22, 2013 at 6:02 pm

      Apple pie seems to be very popular! Maybe I need to come up with an apple pie recipe next :) Thanks for your comment!

      Reply
  37. G Andolina says

    November 22, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 22, 2013 at 6:01 pm

      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 :)

      Reply
  38. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    November 22, 2013 at 11:45 am

    Ok, you are too funny and I am DROOLING over this recipe, Andi!!! I will definitely be trying this one!! YUM! Pinning now!! xo

    Reply
  39. Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says

    November 22, 2013 at 8:50 am

    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. :)

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 22, 2013 at 9:32 am

      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!

      Reply
  40. Dana Rodriguez says

    November 22, 2013 at 8:03 am

    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 :)

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 22, 2013 at 9:34 am

      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?

      Reply
      • Dana Rodriguez says

        November 22, 2013 at 11:51 am

        Brown sugar crust with pecans.So good with ice cream :)

        Reply
        • Dana Rodriguez says

          November 22, 2013 at 11:52 am

          As in topping I meant to say!

          Reply
        • Andi says

          November 22, 2013 at 6:01 pm

          Ooh, that sounds really good!

          Reply
  41. Jamey says

    November 22, 2013 at 6:27 am

    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 :)

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 22, 2013 at 9:35 am

      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 :)

      Reply
      • Jamey says

        November 23, 2013 at 7:25 pm

        I love that you take time to reply to everyone’s comments, very nice! :)

        Reply
        • Andi says

          November 23, 2013 at 9:48 pm

          Thanks, Jamey! I love getting comments, so it’s my pleasure to reply! Enjoy your weekend :)

          Reply
  42. Katherine Moyes says

    November 21, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 22, 2013 at 9:36 am

      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 :)

      Reply
  43. Alecia k. says

    November 21, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    The first thing I would make is a breakfast quiche!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 22, 2013 at 9:37 am

      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 :)

      Reply
  44. Susanna says

    November 21, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    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 ; ;

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 22, 2013 at 9:37 am

      Thanks, Susanna! I hope you get a chance to try the recipe, and good luck in the contest!

      Reply
  45. emilyd says

    November 21, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    Andi this recipe is brilliant! I cannot wait to make this for my hubby, pinning!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 22, 2013 at 9:38 am

      Thank you so much, Emily! xo

      Reply
  46. Laura Houston says

    November 21, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 22, 2013 at 9:38 am

      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!

      Reply
  47. Rona says

    November 21, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Andi says

      November 21, 2013 at 3:17 pm

      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.

      Reply

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