Old Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
A hearty, cheesy pizza with layers of dough, sauce, and toppings, inspired by the restaurant's iconic take-out menu. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 40 minutes pairs pre-made ball pizza dough, tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1 pre-made ball pizza dough
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup, sliced pepperoni
- 1/2 cup, diced green peppers
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped onions
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, grated parmesan cheese
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Roll out dough into a 12-inch circle on a floured surface, then transfer to a pizza stone or baking sheet.
- Step 2: Spread tomato sauce evenly over dough, then sprinkle mozzarella, pepperoni, green peppers, and onions. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Step 3: Bake for 10-12 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Top with parmesan and serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Old Chicago Deep Dish Pizza take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Old Chicago Deep Dish Pizza?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pre-made ball pizza dough from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Old Chicago Deep Dish Pizza?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Old Chicago Deep Dish Pizza for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Old Chicago Deep Dish Pizza?
American pizza like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.