Kamil Perry
Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is known for its thick, buttery crust and generous toppings. The cheese goes directly on top of the crust, followed by toppings and a thick layer of tomato sauce. The deep-dish style is said to have been developed by Pizzeria Uno's original pizza chef, Rudy Malnati, and his sons, who founded Lou Malnati's Pizzeria and Pizano's, both known for their deep-dish pizzas. The pizzas are baked in a deep cake pan, with the dough pressed up the sides to create a thick crust. While the traditional recipe calls for mozzarella cheese, some variations include parmesan, and the pizzas are often served with a variety of toppings, including sausage, pepperoni, and vegetables.
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What You'll Learn
Chicago deep-dish pizza typically has a thick layer of cheese
Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is known for its thick layer of cheese. This style of pizza is baked in a deep cake pan, with the dough pressed up the sides, creating a wall to hold all the toppings. The cheese goes directly on top of the crust, followed by the sauce, and then often more cheese. This order of layering is key to the Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. The crust is also unique, with a thick, buttery, and crunchy texture.
The cheese used in Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is typically mozzarella. Some recipes call for sliced mozzarella, which melts evenly and browns faster than whole milk mozzarella. Others suggest using low-moisture mozzarella, which is cheaper and easier to work with. Parmesan cheese is also commonly used, either grated on top or as a crispy, greasy fried texture around the rim of the pizza.
The deep-dish style is said to have been developed by Rudy Malnati, the original pizza chef at Pizzeria Uno. His sons, Lou and Rudy Jr., later founded their own pizzerias, both known for their deep-dish pizzas: Lou Malnati's Pizzeria and Pizano's. Lou Malnati's, in particular, has helped spread the popularity of deep-dish pizza across Chicago and the rest of the country. Their signature pizza, the "Malnati Chicago Classic", features sausage, cheese, and tomato sauce on a special butter crust.
While Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is known for its thick layer of cheese, it is important to note that stuffed pizzas, which are also popular in Chicago, tend to have even more cheese. Stuffed pizzas typically have an additional layer of dough covering the toppings, resulting in a deeper dish and more cheese than the traditional deep-dish style.
Overall, the thick layer of cheese in Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is a defining characteristic of this style, along with the unique crust and layering of toppings.
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The cheese used is often mozzarella, sometimes with Parmesan
Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is known for its generous use of cheese. The cheese used is often mozzarella, sometimes with Parmesan.
Mozzarella is a key ingredient in the Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. It is typically used as the base layer of cheese, spread across the dough before the addition of other toppings. Using sliced or shredded part-skim mozzarella is recommended as it melts evenly and browns faster than whole milk mozzarella. This creates a uniform base for the pizza and prevents an uneven cook.
Some recipes call for the addition of Parmesan cheese. Parmesan can be grated over the pizza after it has been baked, adding a salty, nutty flavour to the dish. Alternatively, a ring of caramelized Parmesan cheese can be added to the crust, creating a crispy, toasted edge. This style is known as pan pizza, and while it differs from the traditional deep-dish, it is still a popular variation in Chicago.
The amount of cheese used in a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is substantial, contributing to the overall indulgent nature of the dish. The cheese is layered with other toppings, such as sausage, pepperoni, and vegetables, and is often covered with a thick layer of tomato sauce. This unique assembly, with cheese placed directly on the crust, results in an upside-down pizza pie.
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The cheese goes directly on the crust, with sauce on top
When it comes to Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, the cheese goes directly on the crust, with the sauce piled on top. This style of pizza is baked in a deep dish cake pan, resulting in a thick, buttery crust with ample toppings. The crust is a key component, with a unique crunchy-edged, flaky texture that sets it apart from a regular pizza crust.
The process of assembling a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza involves layering the toppings in a specific order. First, the cheese goes directly on the crust, followed by toppings such as pepperoni, bacon, sausage, and vegetables. Then, a thick layer of uncooked tomato sauce is added, and some recipes even call for more cheese on top.
The deep-dish pizza crust is created by pressing the dough up the sides of the pan, forming a high wall of crust that will hold all the toppings. This style of pizza is so loaded with toppings that it is often eaten with a fork to avoid making a mess. The cheese used in Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is typically mozzarella, which is either sliced or grated, and some recipes even call for a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.
While the traditional deep-dish pizza follows the layering process described above, there are variations. Some Chicago joints put down a layer of raw sausage, creating a thick sausage sheet on the cheese before adding the sauce. Additionally, the sauce in a traditional deep-dish pizza is typically uncooked and has a thick, chunky texture with a slightly sweet flavor. However, some recipes may call for cooking the sauce beforehand to reduce the overall moisture content of the pizza.
The Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is a unique and indulgent take on the traditional pizza, with a focus on layering the toppings in a specific order, directly on the crust, and piling on a generous amount of sauce and cheese.
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The crust is thick, buttery, and crunchy
The crust of a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is thick, buttery, and crunchy. The dough is pressed up the sides of a cake pan or a traditional Chicago-style pizza pan, which has higher sides than a regular pizza pan. This creates a deep wall of crust that will hold all the toppings.
To make the crust thick and buttery, melted butter is added to the bottom of the pan. The dough is then spread across the bottom and up the sides of the pan to create a high wall of back crust, as thin as possible. This thin layer of crust is then covered in toppings.
The crust is also described as having a "crispy, greasy fried texture." It is said to be crunchy-edged and flaky and absolutely not a regular pizza crust. The crust is thick and bready, and it may be parbaked before the toppings are added to give it greater spring.
The crust of a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is a key component of this style of pizza, and it is significantly different from the crust of a regular pizza. It is thick, buttery, and crunchy, creating a unique and delicious experience.
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Chicago deep-dish pizza is baked in a deep cake pan
Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is baked in a deep cake pan, which gives it its signature high crust. This style of pizza is known for its generous amount of cheese, sauce, and toppings. The deep cake pan allows for a higher crust that can hold all the layers of toppings. The pizza is baked until the crust is crispy and golden, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
The process of making a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza starts with preparing the dough and pressing it into the deep cake pan, creating a thick layer of dough across the bottom and up the sides of the pan. The cheese is then placed directly on top of the crust, followed by a layer of toppings such as pepperoni, bacon, sausage, or vegetables. The toppings are layered in a specific order, with each ingredient carefully placed to ensure an even distribution of flavors and textures.
The final step before baking is adding the sauce. Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas are known for their slightly sweet and chunky tomato sauce, which is added on top of the cheese and toppings. The sauce is typically uncooked and made with crushed San Marzano tomatoes, resulting in a thick and robust flavor. Some recipes may also include grated Parmesan cheese or other types of cheese to finish off the pizza.
Baking a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza requires a careful eye and attention to detail. The pizza is baked in the oven until the crust is golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. It is then removed from the oven and allowed to rest for a few minutes before being sliced into pieces. The deep cake pan ensures that the pizza slices resemble pie slices rather than traditional flat pizza slices.
The deep-dish pizza is a unique and indulgent take on the traditional pizza, and its distinct characteristics have made it a beloved dish in Chicago and beyond. The process of baking it in a deep cake pan is a crucial step in creating the signature look and taste of this iconic dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Chicago-style deep-dish pizza has cheese. The cheese is placed directly on top of the crust, followed by toppings and then the sauce.
The type of cheese used in Chicago deep-dish pizza varies. Mozzarella is commonly used, but parmesan and gorgonzola are also options.
Chicago deep-dish pizza is known for its generous amount of cheese. It has been described as having a thick layer of cheese. However, stuffed pizzas, which are deeper and have an additional layer of dough, typically have even more cheese.
