Description
This Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza Pie offers a hearty and delicious twist on traditional pizza, featuring a thick, golden crust filled with layers of Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella, and vegetables, all topped with a rich homemade tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this recipe brings the bold flavors and comforting textures of Chicago-style pizza right to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
For the Filling:
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 pound sliced pepperoni
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes until the mixture is foamy. Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and allow it to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the dough rises, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, then stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 15–20 minutes until thickened and flavorful.
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Grease a 9-inch deep-dish or springform pan. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two portions, making one slightly larger than the other.
- Assemble the Pie: Roll out the larger dough portion and press it into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pan to create a crust. Layer half of the mozzarella cheese evenly on the bottom of the crust, followed by the cooked sausage, pepperoni, chopped bell pepper, sliced red onion, and ricotta cheese if using. Finish the filling with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Seal the Pie: Roll out the smaller portion of dough and place it over the filled crust. Pinch the edges together to seal and trim any excess dough. Cut several small slits into the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake the Pie: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the pie and spread the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the top crust. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top, and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 15–20 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese topping is melted.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set and makes serving easier. Slice and enjoy your stuffed deep dish pizza pie!
Notes
- You can swap out the green bell pepper, sausage, or pepperoni with your favorite ingredients such as mushrooms, olives, or cooked ground beef.
- Ricotta cheese provides a creamy texture in the filling but is optional based on preference.
- Leftover pizza can be reheated effectively in the oven to preserve crispiness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
