The Ultimate Deep-Dish Pizza Pie Recipe for Homemade Bliss

Crafting a delectable deep-dish pizza pie brings pure culinary magic to your kitchen.

Layers of rich flavors and textures promise an unforgettable dining experience.

Thick, buttery crusts cradle generous toppings that melt into each delightful bite.

Chicago knows how to create comfort food that speaks directly to your soul.

Cheese stretches with irresistible drama across golden-brown surfaces.

Sauce bubbles with intense herbs and spices, creating a symphony of taste.

What Everyone Loves About Deep-Dish Pizza Pie

• Craft Homemade Comfort: Create an indulgent deep-dish pizza that fills your kitchen with warmth and delicious aromas, perfect for satisfying serious comfort food cravings.
• Flexible Flavor Adventure: Customize your pizza pie with endless topping combinations like different meats, vegetables, and cheeses, making it a versatile meal for picky eaters and adventurous food lovers.
• Family Feast Builder: Prepare a show-stopping dish that brings everyone together, encouraging shared meal experiences and creating memorable dining moments with its impressive presentation and hearty portions.
• Easy Cooking Process: Follow straightforward steps that require minimal cooking skills, allowing both novice and experienced home cooks to successfully create a restaurant-quality meal with simple ingredients and basic kitchen tools.

Deep-Dish Pizza Pie Ingredients

• Flour: Provides the foundation for the pizza crust.
• Warm Water: Activates the yeast and helps form the dough.
• Yeast: Creates rise and texture in the pizza crust.
• Sugar: Helps yeast activation and adds subtle sweetness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the dough.
• Olive Oil: Adds moisture and richness to the dough.

• Ground Beef or Sausage: Hearty protein filling for the pizza pie.
• Pizza Sauce: Provides classic tomato base and flavor.
• Mushrooms, Bell Peppers: Fresh vegetables for added texture and taste.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty cheese that binds the pizza together.
• Pepperoni Slices: Optional classic pizza topping for extra flavor.

Deep-Dish Pizza Pie Cooking Method

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Mix warm water with yeast in a small bowl. Allow the mixture to sit and become frothy, which takes about 5 minutes. This process helps the yeast wake up and get ready to make your dough rise.

Step 2: Create the Dough Base

Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Pour in the activated yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a soft dough forms. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead thoroughly for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest and rise for 1 hour in a warm spot.

Step 3: Prepare the Savory Filling

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Brown ground beef or sausage until fully cooked, making sure to drain any excess fat. Stir in pizza sauce and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors. Set the filling aside.

Step 4: Build the Pizza Masterpiece

• Sliced mushrooms
• Chopped bell peppers

Repeat the layering of cheese and fillings as desired. Top the pizza pie with additional mozzarella and pepperoni slices.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pizza into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese becomes bubbly and slightly crispy.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Allow the pizza pie to cool slightly after removing from the oven. Slice into generous portions. Serve warm alongside a crisp side salad or some garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Pizza Pie Tips for a Deep-Dish Comfort Win

• Boost Dough Rise: Place the covered dough in a warm, draft-free area like near a preheated oven to help it rise faster and develop better texture.
• Prevent Soggy Crust: Sprinkle a thin layer of cornmeal or breadcrumbs on the bottom of the crust to absorb moisture and keep the base crispy.
• Choose Meat Wisely: Use lean ground beef or Italian sausage and drain excess fat thoroughly to prevent a greasy pizza pie with a heavy filling.
• Layer Cheese Strategically: Place cheese directly on the crust bottom and between filling layers to create a moisture barrier and enhance flavor complexity.
• Customize Toppings Smartly: Precook vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers to remove excess water and intensify their flavor before adding to the pizza pie.

Store Deep-Dish Pizza Pie And Reheat Later

• Store leftover deep-dish pizza in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Carefully wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen pizza will keep quality for 1-2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place pizza slices on a baking sheet and cover loosely with foil. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 2-3 minutes to crisp the crust.
• Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for 30-45 seconds, checking halfway to prevent soggy texture. Add a small cup of water nearby to help maintain moisture and prevent rubbery cheese.

Ideal Bites with Deep-Dish Pizza Pie

• Savor Perfectly Paired Flavors
• Craft a Bold Red Wine Match: Choose a robust Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon that stands up to the deep-dish pizza's rich meaty flavors and cuts through the heavy cheese, creating a delightful taste explosion.
• Enhance with Crisp Salad Companion: Prepare a tangy arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the pizza's richness, providing a fresh and light contrast that cleanses the palate between hearty bites.
• Select Complementary Beer Option: Grab an amber ale or hoppy IPA that matches the pizza's intense flavor profile, with malty undertones that complement the savory meat and melted cheese, offering a satisfying drinking experience.
• Create Herbal Garnish Accent: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or oregano on top of the pizza to elevate the dish's aromatic quality, adding a bright, zesty note that brings out the underlying sauce and meat flavors.

Pizza Pie Flavor Twists

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground beef or sausage with crumbled tofu, plant-based meat alternative, or roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and spinach for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour to create a celiac-friendly crust that maintains the pizza's rich texture.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Use cauliflower crust or thin sliced zucchini as a base instead of traditional dough, reducing carbohydrate content while keeping the pizza's hearty essence.
• Mediterranean Remix: Incorporate feta cheese, olives, artichoke hearts, and sun-dried tomatoes to give the deep-dish pizza a Greek-inspired flavor profile with Mediterranean ingredients.

FAQs

• Why do I need to use warm water for activating the yeast?

Warm water helps activate the yeast by creating the right temperature for yeast to grow and become foamy, which ensures your pizza dough will rise properly and develop a good texture.

• Can I use a different type of meat for the filling?

Absolutely! You can substitute ground beef or sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or even create a vegetarian version using plant-based meat alternatives or extra vegetables like spinach and zucchini.

• How do I know if my dough is kneaded enough?

Your dough is properly kneaded when it becomes smooth, elastic, and springs back when you press it with your finger. Typically, this takes about 8-10 minutes of consistent kneading by hand.

• What if my dough doesn't rise?

If your dough doesn’t rise, it could be due to old or inactive yeast, water that’s too hot or cold, or a drafty environment. Always use fresh yeast, check water temperature (around 110°F), and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area.

Deep-Dish Pizza Pie Recipe

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4.9 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 58 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza delivers a mouthwatering masterpiece of layered flavors and rich textures. Rich tomato sauce, melted cheese, and crispy crust create a sensational meal you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 2.25 teaspoons (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by dissolving it in warm water, allowing it to bloom and become frothy for approximately 5 minutes.
2. Create a foundational dough by combining flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing vessel, then incorporate the activated yeast and olive oil until a cohesive mixture forms.
3. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead vigorously for 8-10 minutes, developing a smooth and elastic texture.
4. Allow the dough to rest and expand, covering it with a damp cloth in a warm environment for roughly one hour until it doubles in volume.
5. Prepare the savory filling by sautéing ground beef or sausage in a skillet over medium heat, thoroughly rendering and draining excess fat.
6. Enhance the meat mixture by stirring in pizza sauce and simmering for 5 minutes to meld flavors, then set aside.
7. Preheat the oven to 375°F, creating an ideal baking environment for the deep-dish pizza pie.
8. Carefully roll the risen dough into a circular shape and gently press it into a greased deep baking pan, trimming any overhanging edges.
9. Establish a foundational layer of shredded mozzarella cheese across the crust’s base for added richness.
10. Construct layers of meat filling, mushrooms, and bell peppers, alternating with additional cheese to create a complex flavor profile.
11. Crown the pizza pie with a final layer of mozzarella and arrange pepperoni slices or preferred garnishes on top.
12. Bake the assembled pizza for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the crust achieves a golden hue and the cheese becomes delightfully bubbly.
13. Remove from the oven and allow the pizza to rest briefly, enabling the filling to set before slicing.
14. Serve warm, presenting generous portions alongside a crisp side salad or garlic bread to complete the meal.

Notes

• Boost dough rise by placing it in a warm, draft-free spot like a turned-off oven with the light on.
• Prevent soggy crust by pre-baking the dough for 5-7 minutes before adding fillings, creating a barrier against moisture.
• Customize filling with vegetarian alternatives like plant-based ground meat or roasted vegetables for dietary flexibility.
• Enhance flavor by adding dried herbs like oregano or basil directly into the meat sauce or sprinkled on top before baking.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg