Save A comforting, hearty soup that combines the cheesy, savory flavors of pizza with the cozy, spoonable texture of a pot pie—ready in under an hour on your stovetop.
I first made this soup on a chilly weekend when my family craved both pizza and something warm—and it instantly became a regular request. The bubbling cheese and fresh bread topping made the kitchen smell just like a pizzeria.
Ingredients
- Vegetables: 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- Meats (optional): 200 g (7 oz) Italian sausage or pepperoni, sliced (substitute with plant-based sausage for vegetarian)
- Soup Base: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 can (400 g/14 oz) diced tomatoes; 3 cups (720 ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth; 1/2 cup tomato sauce or pizza sauce; 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Dairy: 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (optional, for topping)
- Bread Topping: 1 sheet refrigerated pizza dough or 4 small biscuits; 2 tablespoons melted butter; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until translucent.
- Sauté & Add Meats:
- Add bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic. Sauté for 4 minutes until softened. Add Italian sausage or pepperoni, if using, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Season & Build Base:
- Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Simmer Soup:
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Prepare Bread Topping:
- Preheat oven broiler if using oven-safe pot or prepare to bake bread topping separately.
- Add Cheeses:
- Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese until melted. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Bake Bread Top:
- If using an oven-safe pot, lay pizza dough or biscuits over soup. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with garlic powder and parsley. Broil or bake for 5 minutes until golden. If not oven-safe, bake dough/biscuits separately according to package instructions and serve atop each bowl.
- Finish & Serve:
- Ladle soup into bowls. Top with ricotta cheese and a piece of golden bread. Serve hot.
Save One chilly evening, my kids giggled as they dunked the biscuit tops into the cheesy soup and tried to pull the longest cheese string. Everyone went back for seconds!
Required Tools
Large pot or Dutch oven, knife and cutting board, ladle, oven or broiler (if using bread topping in-pot), baking sheet (if baking bread separately)
Allergen Information
Contains wheat/gluten (pizza dough/biscuits), dairy (cheeses), and potential soy (processed meats). Meat toppings may contain additional allergens; always check labels if unsure.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 480, Total Fat: 24 g, Carbohydrates: 44 g, Protein: 22 g per serving
Save This clever mashup is guaranteed to satisfy pizza and soup lovers alike. Savor the creamy, cheesy broth with every bite of homemade bread topping.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, you can substitute the Italian sausage or pepperoni with plant-based alternatives or simply omit the meat to keep the dish vegetarian-friendly.
- → What type of dough works best for the topping?
Refrigerated pizza dough or small biscuit dough sheets both work well, providing a golden, fluffy topping when baked or broiled.
- → How do I achieve a crispy bread topping without an oven-safe pot?
Bake the dough or biscuits separately on a baking sheet until golden and serve atop each bowl for added texture and warmth.
- → Can I add extra vegetables?
Absolutely; chopped spinach, black olives, or additional mushrooms can enhance the flavor and nutritional value.
- → What cheese blends well in this dish?
Mozzarella and Parmesan provide a rich, melty character, while optional ricotta adds creamy topping for extra indulgence.
- → Is this suitable for quick weeknight meals?
Yes, this dish is designed for ease with a total preparation and cooking time under an hour, perfect for busy evenings.