Description
A hearty, savory Deep Dish Pizza featuring a crispy buttery crust layered with spicy Italian sausage, smoky pepperoni, gooey mozzarella cheese, tangy tomato sauce, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Perfect for family dinners or a cozy night in, this recipe delivers a rich, cheesy, and meaty comfort food experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) Active Dry Yeast
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
Toppings
- 8 oz Italian Sausage, casing removed
- 20–25 Pepperoni Slices
- 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 cup Crushed Tomatoes or Marinara Sauce
- ¼ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is active. Add the flour, salt, olive oil, and Italian seasoning. Mix and knead the dough until smooth. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Cook the Sausage: While the dough is rising, brown the Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart into crumbles. Drain excess fat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Assemble the Pizza Base: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a deep-dish pizza pan or cast iron skillet with olive oil. Press the dough into the pan, pushing it up the sides to form a sturdy crust edge.
- Layer the Ingredients: Start with a generous layer of shredded mozzarella on the dough. Add the cooked sausage and then pepperoni slices on top. Pour the crushed tomato or marinara sauce evenly over the toppings. Finish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust turns golden brown and crispy. Let the pizza cool slightly before slicing.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to activate the yeast effectively.
- Do not overload the sauce to prevent soggy crust.
- Pre-cook sausage to avoid grease pooling on the pizza.
- Press dough firmly into the pan edges to hold toppings.
- Using a cast iron pan ensures even heat and crispy crust.
- Let the pizza rest 5-10 minutes before slicing for easier cutting and to prevent cheese slide.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg