Not too many posts ago I confessed that despite living in Chicago, I haven’t been converted to deep dish pizza. And it’s still true. If I have any say, I’d rather have a thin chewy crust, heavy on the cheese and toppings. That was until I made a deep dish/pan/skillet (whatever you want to call it) pizza my own way. I ditched the dense butter crust (which after a little research I learned isn’t even made with butter, but rather vegetable oil) in favor of my favorite dough. It was this simple: my go-to pizza dough, baked it in a cast-iron skillet (12 inches so it fits), mozzarella layered on the bottom (as is traditional), then the toppings (roasted vegetables, spinach, Italian turkey sausage, and black olives) and the sauce, finished with freshly grated Parmesan. It takes a little longer to cook- but not that long. And it’s good. Not near as heavy or exhausting as a true Chicago pizza. But just a satisfying and delicious.
This recipe is highly adaptable. Stuff your pizza with whatever fillings you desire. Mix up the cheese: you could use smoked mozzarella on the bottom (I’ve made it this way and it was awesome) and/or Asiago or Romano in place of the Parmesan. My only advice is to be careful what you fill it with because you want to prevent too much liquid from accumulating. Squeeze any excess liquid out of the vegetables you’ll be adding. Raw vegetables might present a problem if they release a lot of liquid as they cook. And make sure to reduce the sauce or strain it before using. Letting the pizza sit for a bit before slicing helps it to set and reabsorb some of the liquid.
I should mention the sauce. I think it’s what made this pizza extra special. Don’t be lazy and use a jar. This sauce is worth your time. It’s not a lot of effort and simmers away while the dough is rising. I’ve tried a handful of Chicago pizza eateries and this sauce was pretty darn authentic if comparing. You won’t need all of the sauce for a single pizza so freeze what’s left over for a future sauce emergency.
And now for my first ever giveaway! I’m giving one lucky reader this 12-inch Lodge Cast Iron Skillet so they can make their very own deep dish pizza (and pancakes and pot pie and so many other wonderful things) with it. To be eligible, just leave a comment in the comments section. I would love to know what you plan on making if you win…
GIVEAWAY: LODGE 12-INCH CAST IRON SKILLET
TO ENTER: Simply leave a comment in the comments section. One entry per person. Giveaway will remain open until 12:00 A.M. CST on Monday February 3, 2014. ONE winner will be selected at random and announced and contacted later Monday morning. Make sure to provide your email address in the comment form so I can contact you (it will not be published). This giveaway is NOT being sponsored by any company. It’s a product that I have purchased myself and use and love. And now I am providing one for you!
** This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to BRITTANY ERICKSON, winner of the cast iron skillet. I’ll be in contact with you via e-mail. Thanks to everyone who entered!**
Deep Dish Skillet Pizza
INGREDIENTS
1 recipe pizza dough
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, for greasing the pan
cornmeal, for dusting the pan
sauce:*
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. fresh garlic, minced
2 tsp. fresh basil, chopped (or 3/4 tsp. dried)
1 tsp. fresh oregano, chopped (or 1/2 tsp. dried)
1/4 tsp. fennel seeds
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
pinch crushed red pepper flakes (more to taste)
28 oz. can plum tomatoes, coarsely crushed
1 Tbsp. dry red wine (I replaced it with 1 tsp. red wine vinegar)
1 tsp. sugar
*NOTE: This makes more sauce than you need for 1 pizza. I used about 1/2- 2/3 of the sauce and froze the rest for later.
filling:
roasted vegetables (I roasted red and green bell peppers, onion, and mushrooms- make sure to drain any excess liquid before adding to the pizza)
spinach, cooked and chopped (remember to squeeze out any liquid)
black olives, sliced
8 oz. Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled (I used mild Italian turkey sausage) and/or pepperoni
~8 oz. mozzarella, grated (or smoked mozzarella for even more flavor)
~3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan (and/or Pecorino Romano, Asiago, etc.)
DIRECTIONS
1. Prepare pizza dough according to recipe directions.
2. To make the sauce, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the herbs, salt and peppers and cook, stirring, for another 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, wine (or vinegar), and sugar, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20-30 minutes, until thickened. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool completely before using. (The sauce can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen until ready to use.)
3. Preheat oven to 450 F. Rub 1 Tbsp. olive oil over the bottom and sides of a 12-inch seasoned cast iron skillet. Dust the bottom and sides with cornmeal.
4. When the dough is ready, use your hands to stretch it into a large circle and place it in the bottom of the prepared cast iron skillet. Continue stretching it evenly and pressing it into the pan until the dough reaches the edges and up the sides of the pan coming to the top. Place the mozzarella cheese on top of the crust. Top with the sausage, vegetables, and olives. Ladle the sauce evenly over top (I use about 2/3 of the sauce) and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake pizza in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the crust is puffed and browned, the cheese is melted and golden, and the sauce is bubbling. Remove from the oven and let sit 5 minutes before slicing.
Makes 1 12-inch round deep dish pizza.
(Adapted from Food Network and Minimalist Baker)
This is a staple for any decent kitchen, that’s why I need one lol…your pizza looks awesome by the way; thanks for the giveaway!
I’ll be making that pizza above of course! Looks delicious!
That is a great skillet!
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I already have a Lodge cast iron hot plate for tortillas and the occasional pancake breakfasts, I love the way they perform. After reading about your successful attempt at making a stuffed deep dish pizza, I’m thrilled with the idea of creating and sharing a version of my very own!
My husband had me think’n I was the ONLY ONE that didn’t like deep dish pizza. We should have a support group for those of us in the Chicago area. That said my husband is constantly lamenting the fact that Superosa pizza is no longer available in the frozen food section.
As a result on occasion I attempt to make him a deep dish pizza on occasion so that I don’t find myself sitting for hours watching him eat his favorite deep dish sausage pizza at Superosa and then having to hold a couple more on my lap for the drive home.
Every year I have an ethnic food quest, we in chicago are so fortunate to have some may wonderful ethnic foods, and 2012 was the Pizza year.
Who would have known when we went shopping over the weekend that this would be the week i’d make him pizza and today was the day. Then I open my email and see this posting so today is the day and your recipe is the ONE i’ll be making.
Taksa mychet
Holy YUM!!!
I would try your pizza, looks wonderful.
Try the deep dish Silo pizza up in Lake Bluff or Ferentino’s in Lake Forest. Much better then other deep dish pizzas in Chicago.
Trying to cook more this would be great
I think I would make a cornbread first. Thanks for the giveaway.
We love pizza and make it often at home! I will definitely try in my new skillet when I win 🙂
I have been looking for the perfect pizzafor forever.
I think this might be it. Sounds really
Good and I will definitey try it. I have a new stove and I’m ready.
I’ve always wanted one of these awesome skillets! I love them because they are so versatile you can bake, fry, or just cook an egg! Thank you so much for this giveaway!! 🙂
I make a mean vegetable pot pie and would love to try it in is pan! Thanks so much for such a cool giveaway!! Totally love your blog, by the way! You have posted some seriously solid recipes!
Wow! I never thought of using cast iron for pizza!!!!! I’m thrilled to learn of another way to use my trusty Lodge skillet!!!!! Nothing better!!!!!!
Cast iron ROCKS! The pizza recipe looks scrumptious and I can’t wait to try it.
I have a ridiculous love for deep dish pizza, so I would love to try and make one with that pan!
Ooh, neat, I’ve never made deep dish pizza, and honestly, it probably would have never occurred to me that I could do it in a skillet. I’ve been dying for a nice cast iron skillet for other recipes 🙂
Cast iron skillets are great. Can’t wait to try this dish.
I’d make a skillet chocolate chip cookie.
Your BBQ Chicken Pizza is already a favorite in this house so I would love to try your deep dish recipe! My husband is from Chicago so I will have to try this recipe out on him:)
I would make this recipe,corned beef hash,hashbrowns,taquitos,scrambled eggs,fried chicken,and corn bread.Your pizza looks so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love pizza, and this looks like an amazing way to make it!
This looks amazing!
I would make a deep dish pizza first! Yours looks amazing!!
I love cast irons! We love to make cookie dessert(skookie) with ours. I’d love to win and to try your deep dish pizza.
You’re famous! I just saw your chocolate cake recipe on the Pinterest page of one of my BYU friends. We love your blog!
I have always wanted a cast iron skillet! I never thought about skillet pizza, but it looks really delicious!
i love cast iron pans and i love pizza!
The first thing I would make in it is pork tenderloin which you sear on the stovetop and finish in the oven. But homemade pizza is a Friday night occurrence in our house so I will definitely have to give this recipe a try!
I love cast iron skillets. I always feel like a real chef when I pull mine out. I would def like to learn how to make a real pizookie in one. Mine always turn out overcooked!
I love cooking with cast iron. Your deep dish pizza recipe looks delicious. I have looked high and low for a good pizza dough recipe, and will give this one a try. Thanks!
i would love some good ole skillet cornbread
That pizza looks great, I would love to try this.
Ooh, I could make so many of my Nan’s and mum’s recipes, but honestly the first thing I’d make would be a lovely pan of sweet cornbread! Mmm, yum!
I love pizza but deep dish is a bit much for me. This is a great idea though I would have never thought to cook it this way!
Love the pizza idea. I would have never thought to try making my own deep dish. Thanks for posting such simple, fresh recipes I keep coming back to!
If only I could make a deep dish pizza and put all of those yummy toppings in it! I live in a cheese-pizza only household, which completely defeats the purpose of pizza in the first place. I’ll have to try this recipe, only on a smaller scale just for me.
Fun! I love cooking with cast iron! Never tried making pizza in a deep dish but I’d love to try it.
I have always wanted to try using one and you have so many recipes to use (love your blog by the way!).
I would love to try deep dish pizza! Especially without the heaviness!
This deep dish pizza would be first on my list. Yum!!
I am a religious follower, I swear by this blog! Being the only food recipes I have ever trusted on the internet, I choose one recipe every week from your blog to “splurge” on add it to my grocery list to try making it! My husband LOVES chicago deep dish pizza and I’d love to try my hand at making it with this fabulous pan!
Jessie!!!
That’s so exciting you’re doing a giveaway. I have a pizza recipe I would definitely use it for. I think it’s one you would probably like to try too. The first time I made it I didn’t think it would turn out very good but I was actually surprised; and the family seemed to like it too. Even Dad. Its a southwestern pizza that has a black bean sauce that is topped with beans, tomatoes, corn, onions, cheese, etc. And of course I used your pizza dough recipe 🙂 It was really good!
Your deep dish pizza looks delicious! I also would love to try a cookie recipe I saw that was made in a cast iron skillet! Thanks!
I’m a Chicagoan, too, and am in the thin crust camp as well. This looks like a good compromise!
I seriously was thinking this weeken about how much I need a cast iron skillet!!!
I so agree! I also live in Chicago and we only go out for deep dish when people are in town. Not worth it for how it makes me feel (not so great). I’ll have to try this and see if we can convince our guests to stay in and enjoy this instead.
Oooh I actually need a 12 inch cast iron skillet!!!
and I’m with you-thin crust all the wayyy. The fiance’ though is a deep disher sooo this recipe would make him a happy boy!
My brother asked for a cast iron skillet for Chrismas so he could make duck breast. I’ve never tried it, but he says its delicious, so that might be fun! I am a cheesy pizza lover though, so I think I would definitely have to make pizza too!
Thanks for the chance to win this fun pan!
Love cast iron! Love deep dish pizza in it!! Great idea…great give away!
Would love to try cast iron cookinh