How to Make Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza at Home (with Meat, Cheese, and Veggies)
Discover how to make a Chicago-style deep dish pizza at home with a thick crust, meat, cheese, and veggies. A step-by-step recipe that’s delicious and easy to follow.
Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza at Home (with Meat, Cheese, and Veggies)
Course: Fel principalCuisine: Amaricana, Italiana, Italiano-AmericanaDifficulty: Medie6
servings30
minutes40
minutes650
kcal1
hour10
minutesThe concept of “pizza pie” has a few interesting nuances: the term is used differently depending on location and context, and its story is actually quite fun. In the United States, the expression “pizza pie” appeared in the early 20th century, when pizza started becoming popular among Italian immigrants. Americans used the word “pie” for any round, baked dish with a crust—like apple pie or meat pie. So, “pizza pie” literally means a “pizza pie”: a whole, round pizza, not just a slice.
To avoid boring you with too much history, let’s get to the part that really matters: if you love decadent recipes with a thick crust, generous fillings, and cheese that stretches with every slice, then Chicago-style deep dish pizza is exactly what you should try. In Romania, it’s not as popular as classic pizza, but that’s exactly why it’s worth discovering—it’s comforting, impressive, and perfect for days when you want a hearty homemade meal.
I started from a simple craving for “everything on it.” And when I say everything, I mean pork shoulder, sausages, mozzarella, and anything else in the fridge that caught my eye. The result was an amazing pizza pie that I just had to share with you.
Below you’ll find my step-by-step recipe for a Chicago-style deep dish pizza with meat, cheese, and veggies—the version I tested and wholeheartedly recommend. Believe me, it’s the kind of pizza pie you won’t make just once.
Ingredients:
For the dough:
250 g all-purpose flour
150 ml warm water
7 g dry yeast
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon sugar
For the tomato sauce:
200 ml passata / tomato sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Oregano (or Italian herb mix)
For the topping (meat & veggies):
500 g pork shoulder (cubed or sliced)
200 g smoked sausages
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
200 g mozzarella (shredded or cubed)
100 g cheese mix (cheddar, semi-hard cheese, parmesan)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt, pepper, oregano, basil, chili flakes (optional)
Fresh parsley for serving (optional); extra oregano or parmesan
Preparation method
- In Chicago deep dish, the sauce is key — even a simple tomato sauce makes all the difference. Every pizza can be customized to your taste! Add your favorite toppings — from meats and cheeses to vegetables and fresh herbs — and create your own perfect pizza pie.
- Preparing the dough
In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, and yeast, and mix them together. Then add the lukewarm water, salt, and olive oil, and knead everything until you get a smooth, elastic dough. Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rise for 1–1.5 hours, until it doubles in size. - Preparing the sauce
In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil and add the tomato sauce. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and sugar. Let it simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, then allow the sauce to cool slightly before using it on your pizza. - Preparing the toppings
We start by cooking the cubed pork shoulder, seasoned with salt, pepper, and herbs, until nicely browned. Once done, we set the meat aside on a plate. In the same pan, we fry the sliced smoked sausages until they are lightly browned and release their delicious flavors. - Next, we add the onion and bell pepper over the sausages, cooking just enough for the vegetables to soften slightly. While the vegetables cook, we prepare the cheeses by grating them and keeping them ready for assembling the pizza.
- Assembling the pizza
Preheat the oven to 220°C (430°F). Spread the risen dough into a round pan lined with parchment paper and drizzle a little olive oil over it, spreading it evenly with your hand to cover the entire surface. Pour the tomato sauce directly onto the dough and spread it gently, then add the cooked vegetable mix and the sliced smoked sausages. - Next, we add the cooked and browned pork cubes on top, and finally sprinkle the cheeses to create that creamy layer on top.
Tip: Don’t overload the layers, so the pizza cooks evenly. The olive oil on the dough helps achieve a golden, crispy crust, and fresh vegetables or herbs can be added after baking for extra freshness. - Baking the pizza
Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, until the crust turns golden and the cheese on top melts beautifully. Once it’s out of the oven, let the pizza rest for 5–10 minutes so the layers settle and it’s easier to slice. - Serving the pizza
Before serving, sprinkle fresh parsley, oregano, or grated parmesan for extra flavor and color. Slice the pizza into thick pieces and enjoy!
Tip: If you want to add fresh vegetables, like arugula or baby spinach, add them after the pizza comes out of the oven to keep them fresh. You can also drizzle a little garlic-infused olive oil for an extra burst of flavor. - A rich Chicago-style deep dish pizza with a thick crust and delicious toppings is best enjoyed together with loved ones. I encourage you to experiment with your favorite toppings and add your own ingredients to create your unique version of a pizza pie.
