This cheesy deep dish pizza is the ultimate comfort food. With its thick, crunchy crust, oozing cheese, and a variety of toppings, it's no wonder why deep-dish pizza has become a fan favorite. Eating this pizza is an experience like no other. It is the perfect combination of doughiness and cheese that leaves you wanting more.
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Cheesy Deep Dish Pizza
Craving pizza? Skip the delivery. Check out this easy recipe for cheesy deep dish pizza. It's the perfect meal for a family night in and it's so much cheaper than ordering pizza from your favorite restaurant.
This recipe is simple and straightforward, so you can easily make it at home without any trouble. Just follow the step-by-step instructions for homemade pizza dough with the perfect toppings. This is one dish that will definitely satisfy your cravings for cheesy goodness.
If you like this, then you'll love our creamy spaghetti casserole too! Tons of cheese with pasta and sauce, what isn't there to love?
Ingredients
- 2 cups bread flour (250g)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons dry yeast, 1 packet (7g)
- ½ teaspoon sugar (2.5g)
- ⅔ teaspoon salt (3.3g)
- 1 cup water, warm (240ml)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
- 2 cups tomato sauce (473ml)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (113g)
- 1 ball of fresh mozzarella (125g)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (2.1g)
- ¼ cup sliced black olives (40g)
Kitchen Tools Used
How to Make a Deep Dish Pizza
Video Recipe:
To start this recipe, you will begin by making a pizza dough. This takes a bit of extra time since it has to rest and rise. So, make sure you begin this around 1 hour before you want to start baking the pizza.
Start by whisking the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Then, add in the warm water and olive oil. Mix this all together until a dough forms. Then, knead with clean hands for 5 minutes.
Now you will let it rest for 1 hour. Lightly oil a clean bowl, then place the ball of dough into the bowl and cover. It can be covered with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Set aside in a warm place, if possible a proofing drawer or on top of a stove with the oven on low heat setting.
Once the dough has risen, you will prepare to assemble and bake your pizza. Begin by prepping the oven and preheating it to 350°F/180°C. Then you will prepare the baking pan you are using. A 9"x13" baking pan is great, but if you have a deep dish pizza pan or a larger deep cast iron skillet, these will give you the round shape you are looking for. Spray the pan with non-stick spray, or as I prefer, generously oil it with olive oil. This helps the dough to not stick but also gives it a bit of a crispy "fried" texture on the bottom.
Punch down the dough and then press it into the prepared baking dish, making sure it covers the bottom and sides of the pan.
Now, spread the tomato sauce onto the dough, and then sprinkle with oregano. You can also use any of your favorite marinara sauces or prepared pizza sauce for this step.
Layer the shredded mozzarella, then add another layer of sauce and a final layer of mozzarella.
If desired, add salami or pepperoni and black olive slices on top.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, then let sit for 10 minutes before slicing to serve.
Cheesy Deep Dish Pizza
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our Cheesy Deep Dish Pizza recipe. Enjoy a crispy, flaky crust and melted cheese in every bite. Satisfy your cravings now!
Ingredients
- 2 cups bread flour (250g)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons dry yeast, 1 packet (7g)
- ½ teaspoon sugar (2.5g)
- ⅔ teaspoon salt (3.3g)
- 1 cup water, warm (240ml)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
- 2 cups tomato sauce (473ml)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (113g)
- 1 ball of fresh mozzarella (125g)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (2.1g)
- ¼ cup sliced black olives (40g)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, dry yeast, salt, and sugar.
- Add warm water and olive oil, then knead dough for at least 5 minutes. Let dough rest for 1 hour.
- Punch down dough and flatten to fit a greased 9x13 inch pan, covering the bottom and sides.
- Spread 1 cup of tomato sauce on the bottom of the pie and sprinkle with dry oregano.
- Layer shredded mozzarella on top of the sauce, then repeat with another layer of sauce and mozzarella.
- Top with salami slices and olives.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, let sit for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Top this pizza with any of your favorite pizza toppings.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 293Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 790mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 11g
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Did Deep Dish Pizza Originate?
Deep dish pizza was born in Chicago, Illinois back in the 1940s. The original deep-dish pizza recipe created by Pizzeria Uno is still popular today. It features a thick, buttery crust baked in a deep-dish pan and filled with cheese and chunky tomato sauce.
What Makes Deep Dish Pizza Different?
The key difference between regular pizza and deep dish pizza is the crust. Deep dish pizza has a thicker, crunchier crust that holds up to the toppings without getting soggy. This allows you to pile on as many toppings as you like without worrying about making a mess. The dough itself also has more flavor, thanks to the buttery crust and longer bake time.
Can I Make This and Freeze it Before Baking?
Yes, you can make cheesy deep-dish pizza ahead of time and freeze it before baking. I love to do this to create my own frozen pizzas.
Make the dough and add the toppings to the pizza. Then, set it in the freezer. I like to freeze it first before wrapping it so that the plastic wrap does not stick to the ingredients, like the cheese and sauce. Once it has frozen, wrap it in plastic, label it with the date, and then place it back into the freezer.
When you are ready to bake you can bake the pizza from frozen or let it thaw and bake. If you are baking the deep dish pizza from frozen, be sure to increase the baking time by at least 10 minutes and check as it cooks to see if it may need additional time in the oven.
What Other Toppings Go on Deep Dish Pizza?
Deep dish pizza is a blank canvas for your favorite toppings. Whether you like to keep it classic with pepperoni or mix it up by adding artichokes and roasted red peppers, you can customize this pizza just how you like.
Below are some great additions to any pizza, but especially this thick crusted cheesy pizza.
- Mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, or diced tomatoes
- Olives or jalapeno slices
- Fresh herbs such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, or basil
- Sausage, pepperoni, ham, chicken, chorizo, or ground beef
More Italian Flavored Casseroles
Pizza is the most popular flavor in almost any household with kids. If you love these flavors but want something a bit easier to make, check out the ideas below. There are some great recipes to add to your menu. Bookmark your favorites, print out the recipes, or pin them to Pinterest to make soon!
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