Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-08 · Updated 2026-06-08

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A rich, buttery deep dish pizza loaded with spicy pepperoni and a savory tomato sauce, inspired by classic Chicago flavors. This American-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 American cuisine 550 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
1 cup (110°F) warm water
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
20 slices sliced pepperoni
2 cups crushed tomatoes
3 minced garlic cloves
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
for garnish fresh basil leaves

The pizza stone or steel we’d bake this on → Best Pizza Stones and Steels for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 1 cup warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, and 1 tsp salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and 1/4 cup olive oil, stirring until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Step 3: Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a saucepan over medium heat, sauté 3 minced garlic cloves in 1 tbsp olive oil until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 15 minutes until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
Step 5: Press the dough into a 12-inch deep dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides to form a thick crust.
Step 6: Layer 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough, then arrange 20 slices of pepperoni on top.
Step 7: Pour the thickened tomato sauce evenly over the pepperoni and sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Step 8: Bake for 25-30 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes, garnish with fresh basil leaves, then slice and serve.