Hearty Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza Pie Recipe for Beginners

Every pizza lover dreams of sinking their teeth into a perfectly crafted deep-dish pizza pie recipe that brings Chicago’s culinary magic right to their kitchen.

Layers of gooey cheese, rich tomato sauce, and golden-brown crust create a mouthwatering masterpiece that defies ordinary pizza expectations.

Crispy edges, a buttery foundation, and carefully selected ingredients turn this dish into a true comfort food sensation.

Generous toppings nestled between thick layers of dough promise a hearty meal that satisfies even the most demanding appetites.

The aroma alone will draw everyone to the table, eager to slice into this decadent creation.

Bold flavors and a rustic presentation make this recipe a standout dinner option that celebrates the art of pizza-making.

Prepare to embark on a delicious culinary journey that will make you the star of any meal.

How To Serve Deep-Dish Pizza Pie Recipe

• Pizza Party Perfect Pairings: Crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette adds fresh contrast to the rich, cheesy pizza pie.
• Game Night Companion: Serve alongside cold beer or chilled soda for a classic comfort food experience that satisfies hungry crowds.
• Dipping Delights: Prepare garlic aioli, ranch dressing, or marinara sauce on the side for extra flavor exploration and fun dipping options.
• Family Style Feast: Cut into generous wedges and place directly on a large wooden board for a rustic, interactive dining adventure that brings everyone together.

Deep-Dish Pizza Pie Recipe Storage Guide

Keep slices in airtight containers inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days, maintaining optimal taste and texture.

• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm individual slices in a preheated oven at 375F for 7-10 minutes to restore crispy crust and melty cheese quality.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap entire pizza pie or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store in freezer for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare pizza dough and sauce in advance, storing separately in sealed containers. Refrigerate sauce for 5-7 days and keep dough wrapped for up to 3 days, allowing flexible cooking schedules.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 7

What You’ll Need For Deep-Dish Pizza Pie Recipe

• Flour: Provides the fundamental structure and texture of the pizza crust, selecting high-protein bread flour ensures a robust and chewy foundation..
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth, ensuring balanced dough development..
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and helps create beautiful golden-brown crust color..
• Yeast: Crucial living organism that makes dough rise and creates airy, soft texture..
• Warm Water: Activates yeast and helps bind ingredients together smoothly..
• Milk: Adds richness and softness to the dough, creating a tender crust..
• Olive Oil: Contributes subtle flavor and helps create a more pliable dough..
• Melted Butter: Introduces rich flavor and helps achieve a flaky, golden crust..

• Crushed Tomatoes: Provides the base for classic pizza sauce with vibrant, tangy flavor..
• Garlic: Adds deep, aromatic flavor that complements the tomato sauce..
• Oregano: Classic Italian herb that brings earthy, slightly peppery notes..
• Basil: Introduces fresh, sweet herbal essence to the sauce..
• Sugar: Balances the acidity of tomatoes and enhances overall sauce flavor..
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that elevate and harmonize sauce taste..

• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating that irresistible stretchy cheese pull..
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, nutty complexity to the cheese layer..
• Sausage, Pepperoni: Provides hearty protein.

Tools For Deep-Dish Pizza Pie Recipe

• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining dough ingredients and kneading.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Saucepan: Needed for preparing the tomato sauce.
• Rolling Pin: Helps roll out the pizza dough evenly.
• Deep-Dish Pan or 9-inch Cake Pan: Crucial for creating the signature deep-dish shape.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for mixing and stirring ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Useful for kneading dough and preparing toppings.
• Sharp Knife: Helps slice the pizza after baking.
• Oven Mitts: Protect your hands when handling hot pans.

How To Make Deep-Dish Pizza Pie Recipe

• Dough Preparation

Blend flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a mixing bowl. Combine warm water, milk, olive oil, and melted butter until a soft dough emerges. Knead the mixture on a floured surface until smooth and elastic. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a cozy spot for about an hour until it doubles in size.

• Sauce Magic

Warm olive oil in a saucepan and gently sauté minced garlic. Add crushed tomatoes, herbs, and seasonings. Let the sauce simmer and thicken, developing rich flavors for 15-20 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

• Pizza Assembly

Heat the oven to 425F. Grease a deep baking pan with olive oil. Roll out the dough and press it into the pan, ensuring complete coverage of bottom and sides. Sprinkle cheese generously across the crust. Layer your favorite meats and toppings. Pour the vibrant sauce over the top, spreading evenly.

• Baking Perfection

Slide the pizza into the oven and bake until the crust turns golden and cheese becomes bubbly and irresistible, approximately 20-25 minutes.

• Serving Delight

Allow the pizza to rest for a few minutes. Slice and serve with a crisp salad or warm garlic bread on the side.

Tips And Tricks For Deep-Dish Pizza Pie Recipe

• Perfect Dough Rising Hack: Let your dough rise in a warm, draft-free area like inside a turned-off oven with the light on, which creates an ideal temperature for yeast activation and helps the dough develop a rich, soft texture.
• Cheese Layering Pro Tip: Place cheese directly on the crust before adding sauce to prevent a soggy bottom, ensuring a crispy base that holds up beautifully when sliced.
• Vegetarian Pizza Twist: Replace meat toppings with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and onions for a delicious plant-based version that's equally satisfying and packed with flavor.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the pizza dough and sauce a day in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator to save time and develop deeper, more complex flavors before assembling and baking.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute traditional wheat flour with a gluten-free blend, adding a teaspoon of xanthan gum to help bind the dough and maintain a similar texture for those with dietary restrictions.

Hearty Deep-Dish Pizza Pie Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Chicago-style Deep-Dish Pizza Pie showcases layers of cheesy goodness nestled in a buttery, crisp crust. Generous toppings and rich tomato sauce create a hearty meal that pizza enthusiasts will savor completely.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (225 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
• ½ cup (75 g) cooked Italian sausage or pepperoni
• ½ cup (120 ml) warm water
• ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ cup (75 g) mushrooms or bell peppers, sliced/diced (optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Blend warm water, milk, olive oil, and melted butter into the dry ingredients, stirring until a cohesive mixture forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8 minutes, developing a smooth, elastic texture.
2. Proofing and Sauce Creation: Allow the dough to rise in an oiled container, covered, for 1-2 hours. Simultaneously, craft the tomato sauce by sautéing garlic in olive oil, then incorporating crushed tomatoes, herbs, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens and intensifies in flavor.
3. Pan Setup and Dough Shaping: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Oil a deep-dish pan thoroughly. Roll out the risen dough and carefully press it into the pan, ensuring complete coverage of bottom and sides.
4. Layering and Topping: Spread a generous base of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Distribute chosen proteins evenly across the cheese layer. Pour the prepared tomato sauce over the toppings, creating a uniform, vibrant surface.
5. Baking and Finishing: Bake the pizza for 20-25 minutes until the crust turns golden-brown and the cheese bubbles vigorously. Rest the pizza for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. Slice and serve with a complementary side dish.

Notes

• Knead with Precision: Develop gluten by kneading dough exactly 7-8 minutes for optimal elasticity and texture, preventing a tough or crumbly crust.
• Temperature Matters: Use warm (not hot) water and milk around 110°F to activate yeast without killing it, ensuring proper dough rising and soft texture.
• Oil Coating Technique: Lightly oil the proofing container to prevent dough from sticking and create a smooth surface for rising, promoting even expansion.
• Cheese Layer Strategy: Place cheese directly on the dough before sauce to prevent soggy bottom and create a protective barrier, maintaining crisp crust integrity.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg