Deep Dish Meat Lovers Pizza

Deep Dish Meat Lovers Pizza

Loaded with beef, gooey cheese, and rich tomato sauce atop a golden crisp crust. Perfect for sharing.

Preparation Time

20 min

Cooking Time

35 min

Overall Time

55 min

Created By: Lili Clark

Category: Dinner

Skill Level: Moderate

Cuisine Type: Italian-American

Output: 6 Serves

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients

→ Pizza Dough

2½ cups all-purpose flour

2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

¾ cup warm water

→ Meat Filling

1 lb lean ground beef

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, finely diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

→ Cheese Layer

3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Pizza Sauce

2 cups crushed tomatoes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon basil

½ teaspoon sugar

Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Grated Parmesan, optional

Steps

Combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. Mix in the flour, salt, and olive oil. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onion until softened, then add the garlic. Stir in the ground beef, seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned. Drain excess grease and let cool.

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil and garlic for 30 seconds. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15–20 minutes until thickened.

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a deep 8–9 inch cake pan or deep-dish pizza pan.

Roll the dough into a large circle and press it into the pan, covering the bottom and sides. Add half of the mozzarella cheese, then the cooked beef mixture, followed by the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the top and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Bake for 30–35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. Let the pizza rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

Use low-moisture mozzarella for the best cheese pull.
Drain the cooked beef well to keep the crust from becoming soggy.
Let the pizza rest before slicing so the layers hold together.
Add pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, or green peppers for extra flavor.
The sauce should always be placed on top of the cheese, just like a classic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for the crispiest crust.

Required Tools

Deep 8–9 inch cake pan or deep-dish pizza pan
Skillet
Saucepan
Rolling pin

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.

Contains gluten
Contains dairy

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.

Calories: 450
Fats: 18 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Proteins: 25 g

Lili Clark

Hi! I’m LiLi, a former kitchen disaster who learned to cook by documenting my grandmother’s recipes. I believe cooking should be accessible, sometimes messy, and always delicious. Join me as I share everything from family classics to weeknight emergencies!

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