Zurie's Pizza Pie With a Ground Meat Crust

Submitted by Zurie

"An economical family main course I invented many moons ago for a food column on less-expensive but original ways to feed the family. Kids will surely like the novelty!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 15mins
• Ingredients: 18
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 lbs ground beef
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce (or meat marinade)
• 2 tablespoons chutney, any kind
• 1 slice bread, very thick
• 3⁄4 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 (14 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper, coarse
• 2 teaspoons pepper sauce (optional)
• salt

• Pizza toppings (to taste)

• 12 pitted olives
• 1 small onion, cut into rings
• 1 cup grated cheese (or mix cheddar and mozzarella)
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced (or use red or yellow)
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 -3 drops Tabasco sauce

directions

1. Heat oven to 350 deg F/180 deg Celsius.
2. Mix the first 4 ingredients well with a fork.
3. Break the thick bread slice into chunks and let it soak in the milk.
4. With fingers, break up the bread and mix into the meat mixture, and mix well, but lightly.
5. Use a pie plate, and then use the meat to form a "pie crust" as you would with dough. Press flat and even.
6. Empty the can of tomato into a bowl (if whole tomatoes, cut them up).
7. Add the sugar, pepper, pepper sauce if wanted, and a pinch of salt.
8. Fill the meat crust with the tomato mixture.
9. On top, add whatever you like to have on a pizza -- such as the ingredients suggested in the ingredient list. Even more fresh, sliced tomato can be added. If using bacon, put that last so it can cook nicely.
10. Bake this "pizza pie" for about an hour, or until meat crust is firm and browned.
11. Serve with bread and salad.