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Pan Pizza

Pan Pizza
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Pan Pizza features a thick, golden crust that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, topped with savory tomato sauce, melty mozzarella cheese, and your choice of customizable toppings. This deep-dish style pizza delivers rich, intense flavors and a hearty meal experience, perfect for both classic and creative variations. Ideal for homemade pizza nights, it combines fun preparation with satisfying taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose or bread flour
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups warm water (around 110°F / 43°C)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for coating the pan)

Sauce and Cheese

  • 1 cup quality tomato sauce or canned crushed tomatoes
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced

Optional Toppings

  • Vegetables: roasted peppers, mushrooms, spinach, artichokes
  • Meats: pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ground beef
  • Cheeses: cheddar, parmesan (optional mix with mozzarella)
  • Alternative Sauces: alfredo sauce or garlic butter (for white sauce twist)

Seasonings & Garnishes

  • Fresh basil leaves (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and let it activate until bubbly, about 5-10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt, then add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Knead the dough until soft and elastic, about 8-10 minutes, then let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, approximately 1 to 2 hours.
  2. Shape and Oil the Pan: Generously brush a deep, round pan or cast iron skillet with olive oil. Spread the risen dough evenly in the pan, pressing it up the sides slightly to form a thick edge for the crust.
  3. Add Sauce and Cheese: Spread a generous layer of tomato sauce over the dough surface to cover evenly. Follow with a thick layer of shredded or sliced fresh mozzarella cheese.
  4. Add Your Toppings: Evenly distribute your choice of toppings such as vegetables, meats, or extra cheese on top of the cheese layer for balanced flavor.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake the pizza for 20 to 25 minutes until the crust is golden-brown and crispy and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

Notes

  • Allow the dough to rest after kneading for easier stretching and better crumb texture.
  • Use plenty of olive oil in the pan to achieve a crispy bottom crust.
  • Preheat the oven fully to avoid soggy dough.
  • For a less soggy crust, place cheese directly on the dough before sauce.
  • Watch the pizza closely near the end of baking to prevent burning and achieve your desired crust color.

Nutrition

Keywords: Pan pizza, deep-dish pizza, homemade pizza, crispy crust pizza, pizza recipe, mozzarella pizza

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/pan-pizza/