Loaded Deep‑Dish Pizza

Ingredients

• Shredded mozzarella — 2 cup
• Shredded Parmesan — 0.5 cup
• Pepperoni slices — 25 pcs

Steps

1. Grease a 9‑inch deep cake pan or a cast‑iron skillet.
2. Press the risen dough into the prepared pan, pushing it across the bottom and up the sides to create a tall crust.
3. Layer half of the shredded mozzarella over the dough in the pan.
4. Spread the cooked, seasoned beef and any cooked mushrooms and green peppers evenly over the cheese.
5. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and the Parmesan over the filling.
6. Spoon the seasoned pizza sauce evenly over the top, then arrange the pepperoni slices.
7. Bake in a preheated oven at 220°C for 30–40 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
8. Let the pizza rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Dough

• All‑purpose or pizza flour — 3.25 cup
• Instant yeast — 2.25 tsp
• Sugar — 1 tsp
• Salt — 1 tsp
• Warm water — 1.25 cup
• Olive oil — 2 tbsp
• Melted butter — 2 tbsp

1. Combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl.
2. Add the warm water, olive oil and melted butter, then mix to form a dough.
3. Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Cover the dough and let it rise for 1 hour, until roughly doubled and ready to use.

Seasoned beef filling

• Ground beef — 454 g
• Italian seasoning — 1 tsp
• Garlic powder — 1 tsp
• Onion powder — 0.5 tsp
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Sliced mushrooms (optional) — 0.5 cup
• Diced green peppers (optional) — 0.25 cup

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Drain any excess grease, then return the beef to the skillet.
3. Season the beef with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper and stir to combine.
4. Add the mushrooms and diced green peppers if using and cook until the vegetables are softened and flavors are combined; remove from heat and keep warm for assembly.

Sauce

• Pizza sauce or marinara — 2 cup
• Italian seasoning — 1 tsp
• Garlic powder — 0.5 tsp

1. Combine the pizza sauce with Italian seasoning and garlic powder and stir to mix; use as-is for spooning over the assembled pizza.