Description
This Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza Pie is a hearty, cheesy delight reminiscent of classic Chicago-style pizza. Featuring a homemade yeast dough encasing layers of savory Italian sausage, pepperoni, fresh vegetables, and melted mozzarella, all topped with a flavorful tomato sauce, it offers a satisfying and indulgent meal perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
For the dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
For the filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage (or ground beef), cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 small onion, diced
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the sauce:
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active. Stir in flour, salt, and olive oil, then mix and knead the dough for 5–6 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and allow the dough to rise for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking the pizza.
- Make the sauce: Heat a small amount of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10–15 minutes to develop flavor, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble the pie: Grease a 9-inch deep-dish or springform pan with olive oil. Divide the risen dough into two portions, allocating about two-thirds for the bottom crust and one-third for the top. Roll out the larger portion and press it firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan to form a thick crust.
- Add the filling layers: Start by spreading the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on the dough base. Layer the cooked and crumbled Italian sausage, sliced pepperoni, diced green bell pepper, diced onion, and grated Parmesan cheese over the cheese.
- Cover and seal: Roll out the remaining dough into a circle to cover the filling. Lay this dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal the pie tightly. Cut small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Top with sauce and bake: Spread the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the top crust. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and is cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the filling set for cleaner slices and enhances the flavors.
Notes
- Feel free to customize the fillings by adding your favorite meats or vegetables to suit your taste.
- For extra flavor and a buttery finish, brush the crust with garlic butter immediately after baking.
- If you prefer a spicier pizza, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or filling.
