English Muffin Venison Pizzas baked in the oven are the quickest way I know to get pizza on the table for a kid-friendly 15-minute meal.
English Muffin Pizzas
Long before I started developing wild game recipes for a living, I remember making English muffin pizzas with my little brother after school while we waited for Mom and Dad to get home from work. We would split a couple of English muffins, spoon on Ragu spaghetti sauce we found in the kitchen cupboard, scatter cheese across the top, and watch through the oven door until everything bubbled and browned. They weren't fancy, but they didn't need to be. They were warm and tasted even better because we had made them ourselves. Years later, I still find myself returning to that same simple idea, only now I swap in seasoned ground venison from the freezer to create a meal that feels just as nostalgic while making the most of a successful hunting season.
As someone who develops wild game recipes full-time, I've learned that the biggest obstacle keeping people from cooking more venison isn't the meat itself. It's uncertainty. Many hunters know exactly what to do with a backstrap, yet they hesitate when staring at several pounds of ground venison in the freezer. That's one reason I spend so much of my time creating recipes that fit naturally into busy family life. Ground venison is one of the most versatile ingredients you have in your freezer, and this venison pizza recipe proves that wild game can be every bit as approachable as your family's favorite comfort foods.
These venison pizzas have become one of those dependable meals in our home whenever the calendar fills with school activities or evenings when everyone seems to be headed in a different direction. Melissa appreciates how quickly dinner comes together, while Lucia loves having her own personal pizza. There's something undeniably fun about serving everyone an individual pizza, especially when dinner appears on the table in less time than it would take to wait for delivery.
Why English Muffins Make a Great Pizza Crust
If you've never made English muffin pizzas, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Their signature nooks and crannies become lightly crisp when toasted, creating a sturdy foundation that holds the sauce without becoming soggy. That quick trip through the toaster is one small step many beginning cooks overlook, yet it makes all the difference. Toasted muffins stay crisp around the edges while remaining pleasantly tender inside.
Ground venison benefits from a few equally simple techniques. Because venison is naturally lean, I always begin by cooking the onion in olive oil before adding the meat. The softened onion lends sweetness and moisture that balances the richness of the tomatoes beautifully. As the meat cooks, break it into very small crumbles with a wooden spoon or spatula. Smaller pieces spread evenly across every English muffin, so each bite delivers the perfect balance of crust, sauce, meat, and cheese.
Wait until the venison has completely browned before stirring in the marinara sauce. Browning first develops deeper flavor while allowing excess moisture to cook away. Once the sauce is stirred in, everything comes together into a hearty topping that's thick enough to stay exactly where you spoon it.
Finally, don't wander away from the oven once the pizzas go under the broiler. Broilers work remarkably fast. One minute melts the cheese into a beautifully bubbling blanket. Another minute can take it farther than you intended. Keeping a close eye on those final moments rewards you with beautifully browned cheese and crisp English muffin edges every time.
Why You'll Love This Venison Pizza Recipe
Whether you're feeding children after school or simply looking for a quick dinner after work, this easy deer meat pizza offers plenty to love.
- Individual pizzas make serving effortless.
- Ready in about 15 minutes.
- Uses everyday grocery store ingredients.
- A wonderful way to use ground venison from the freezer.
- Perfect for busy back-to-school evenings.
- Kid-friendly enough for picky eaters.
- Simple enough for beginning cooks.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely minced (about ½ cup)
- 1 pound ground venison or lean ground beef
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 English muffins
- 2 cups marinara sauce or pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese
Instructions
- Position a rack about 6 inches below the heat source of your broiler. For most ovens, this will be one notch below the top shelf. Set the oven to broil and allow 5 minutes to preheat fully while you cook the onion and meat.
- Heat oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add ground venison, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook, breaking up the meat into small pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula, until cooked through, about 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, split the 4 English muffins in half. Toast in a toaster until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Place cut-side up on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.
4. Add marinara or pizza sauce to the cooked meat, stir until well combined, and remove from heat. Divide the meat and sauce mixture between the toasted English muffins.
5. Sprinkle with the shredded cheese.
6. Broil in the oven until the cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool for 3 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground beef instead of venison?
Absolutely. While I almost always prepare this as a venison burger pizza, lean ground beef works just as well if that's what you have available.
Can I freeze the cooked meat mixture?
Yes. Cook the venison and sauce mixture, let it cool completely, and freeze it in meal-sized containers. When you're ready for dinner, simply toast the English muffins, spoon on the filling, sprinkle with cheese, and broil.
Why is this such a good weeknight meal?
It comes together quickly, uses affordable ingredients, creates very little cleanup, and gives hunters another dependable way to enjoy ground venison. Better yet, it's one of those meals that children genuinely look forward to eating while adults appreciate how effortlessly dinner comes together.
More Ground Venison Recipes
If you enjoyed this venison pizza recipe, and are looking for more great ideas on how to cook with some of that ground venison in your freezer, be sure and check out these family favorites:
- Italian Quesadillas
- Venison Egg Rolls in a Bowl
- Deer Meat and Gravy over Mashed Potatoes
- Venison Queso Dip
- Venison Tater Tot Casserole
Come Deer Hunting in North Dakota
If you are headed our way for North Dakota deer season, check out the North Dakota Game & Fish Department website. And if you want me to come along with you as your camp cook, photographer, or butcher, you can find out more details here.
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English Muffin Venison Pizzas
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely minced (about ½ cup)
- 1 pound ground venison or lean ground beef
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 English muffins
- 2 cups marinara sauce or pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese
Instructions
- Position a rack about 6 inches below the heat source of your broiler. For most ovens, this will be one notch below the top shelf. Set the oven to broil and allow 5 minutes to preheat fully while you cook the onion and meat.
- Heat oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add ground venison, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook, breaking up the meat into small pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula, until cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, split the 4 English muffins in half. Toast in a toaster until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Place cut-side up on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.
- Add marinara or pizza sauce to the cooked meat, stir until well combined, and remove from heat. Divide the meat and sauce mixture between the toasted English muffins.
- Sprinkle with the shredded cheese.
- Broil in the oven until the cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool for 3 minutes before serving.
Marcy says
We had so much fun making these. Kids had a great time and everyone at two - my husband three! I highly recommend this one if you are looking for ways to use deer burger.
Jeff Benda says
Thanks, Marcy! Glad the whole family enjoyed the pizzas!
Monica says
Super fun to make with the grandkids! The oldest loved using deer burger from his own deer he got last year during youth season. We love your recipes!
Jeff Benda says
Thanks, Monica! Glad the kids liked it, and really happy to hear the oldest used venison from his own deer. That's great.