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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.