Cheesy, savory mix of pizza and pot pie flavors with a cozy, spoonable texture, ready quickly.
# Components:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
02 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup sliced mushrooms
→ Meats (optional)
05 - 7 ounces Italian sausage or pepperoni, sliced (or plant-based alternative)
→ Soup Base
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
09 - ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
10 - ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
11 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
13 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
14 - ½ cup tomato sauce or pizza sauce
15 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
→ Dairy
16 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
17 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
18 - ½ cup ricotta cheese (optional, for topping)
→ Bread Topping
19 - 1 sheet refrigerated pizza dough or 4 small biscuits
20 - 2 tablespoons melted butter
21 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
22 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# Method:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until translucent.
02 - Add diced red bell pepper, sliced mushrooms, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Add Italian sausage or pepperoni if using, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
05 - Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and broth. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes to meld flavors.
06 - Preheat oven broiler if using an oven-safe pot, or plan to bake bread topping separately.
07 - Stir shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan into the soup until melted. Adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - If the pot is oven-safe, lay pizza dough or biscuits over the soup surface. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with garlic powder and parsley, then broil or bake for 5 to 8 minutes until golden and puffed. If not oven-safe, bake dough or biscuits separately and serve atop each bowl.
09 - Ladle soup into bowls. Top with a scoop of ricotta cheese if desired, and a piece of golden bread topping. Serve hot.
