You Don't Need A Special Dish To Tackle Homemade Deep-Dish Pizza

With so many types of pizza in the world, pizza lovers may have trouble picking their favorites. However, different regions in the United States have staunch pizza fans, too. New Yorkers may rally for New York-style pizza, many Michiganians would put their foot down for Detroit-style pizza, and Illinoisans may proclaim their love for Chicago-style pizza recipes.

But you don't need to travel all the way to Chicago to nosh on Chicago-style pizza. In fact, you can easily create deep-dish pizza in the comfort of your home — all you need are the ingredients and a deep-dish pan. When creating homemade Chicago-style pizza, you don't really need a specific type of pan, but different pans may yield different results.

Chicago-style pizza is instantly recognizable for its cake-like resemblance. Deep-dish pizza is a thick-crusted pizza layered with cheese, vegetables, and meat, and then topped with tomato sauce. The pizza is typically baked in a pan that gives it that deep crust — almost two to three inches tall. Choosing the right pan can ensure you will accurately replicate the iconic deep-dish pie. A large, round 10-inch cake pan or springform pan works well. But if you don't have that practically any pan will do.

When whipping up a deep-dish pizza, the proof is, well, in the pan. But don't worry, you don't have to go out and buy a brand new deep-dish pizza pan. 

If you don't have a cake pan, even a casserole dish or skillet will do. A casserole dish will be deep enough not only to spread the dough across the dish's sides, but also to fill it with as many toppings as you like. A skillet can ensure that the pizza crust will yield that perfect golden brown color deep-dish pizzas are known for. And if all else fails, a trusty sheet pan can do the trick. While a sheet pan may not be deep, you can still spread the crust to the edges and sides. 

Whatever pan you choose to use, make sure to coat the pan with olive oil and Italian spices. Then, place the pan in the oven at about 300 degrees Fahrenheit degrees for about an hour. Season it again and place it in the oven for another hour.

Now that you have your pan, choosing the right ingredients is important, too. It also comes down to the type of dough you use to achieve that flaky, crispy crust. For deep-dish pizzas, you'll want to reach for all-purpose flour.

Traditional Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is layered with mozzarella, Italian sausages, and tomato sauce (in that order). But the possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing the ingredients and flavors. Chef and TV personality Jeff Mauro's deep-dish pizza recipe, for instance, includes Italian sausages, sliced pepperoni, mozzarella, and a sprinkle of parmesan.

No matter what toppings you choose to put in your pizza, it's important to not overfill the pizza with them. Adding too many toppings or too much sauce will weigh down the pizza, resulting in an undercooked, soggy mess. Keeping these tips in mind will make homemade deep-dish pizzas a little easier.