Old Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Three-Cheese Blend
A hearty, thick-crust pizza loaded with tangy tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and a creamy three-cheese blend, baked to golden perfection in a cast-iron skillet. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 90 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, packet (2 1/4 tsp) 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 680 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
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup (110°F) warm water
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 1/2 cups, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup, shredded provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup, shredded fontina cheese
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 packet active dry yeast, and 1/2 tsp salt. Gradually add 1 cup warm water and 2 tbsp olive oil, mixing until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Step 2: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- Step 4: Press risen dough into the skillet, forming a thick crust. Spread 1/2 cup diced tomatoes mixed with 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried oregano evenly over the dough.
- Step 5: Layer 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 1/2 cup provolone, and 1/2 cup fontina cheeses over the sauce, then bake for 25-28 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese bubbles.
- Step 6: Remove from oven, sprinkle with 2 tbsp fresh basil, and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Old Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Three-Cheese Blend take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (60 min prep + 30 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-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Three-Cheese Blend?
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 all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Old Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Three-Cheese Blend?
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-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Three-Cheese Blend 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-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Three-Cheese Blend?
American one pot 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
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order american delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.