Deep-Dish Texas-Style Pepperoni Pizza

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

A hearty 30-inch deep-dish pizza with a thick, chewy crust topped generously with pepperoni, mozzarella, and a rich tomato sauce inspired by giant Texas pies. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 70 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, (110°F) warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 8, 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.

Ingredients

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 2 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 4 cups crushed tomatoes
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp salt (for sauce)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 cups pepperoni slices
• 6 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 6 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, 2 tbsp sugar, and 2 tsp salt. Add 2 1/4 cups warm water (110°F) and 1/4 cup olive oil, stirring until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
2. Step 2: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours until doubled in size.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 4 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 450°F. Punch down the dough and press it into a well-oiled 16-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing the dough up the sides to create a thick crust.
5. Step 5: Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, then layer 6 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top. Arrange 4 cups pepperoni slices over the cheese.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the pepperoni. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and browned in spots.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.