Deep dish pizza is a beloved style of pizza originating from Chicago. It differs from traditional thin crust pizza in that it has a thicker, bread-like crust and is baked in a deep pan to allow ample room for more cheese, sauce, and toppings. But what type of pan is best for baking this iconic pizza style at home?
The Origins of Deep Dish Pizza
Deep dish pizza was invented in Chicago in the 1940s. The exact origin is disputed, with both Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due claiming to have created the first deep dish pizza. These restaurants, opened by two Italian immigrants Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, popularized the style and it soon became synonymous with Chicago.
Deep dish pizza was designed to be heartier and more filling than thin crust pizza. It was made by layering thick crust along the bottom and sides of a deep pan, allowing for generous amounts of cheese, tomato sauce, and toppings to be added. This gave the pizza its distinctive thick, casserole-like quality.
The deep pan allowed more ingredients to be added without making the center soggy. The crust essentially acted like an edible bowl. While thin crust pizza relies on the balance of crisp crust and quick-cooking toppings, deep dish pizza achieves balance through its vertical stack of ingredients braced by a firm, bread-like crust.
Key Features of a Deep Dish Pizza Pan
To make an authentic deep dish pizza at home, the type of pan used is important. Here are the key features to look for in a deep dish pizza pan:
- Deep sides – The pan needs to be deep enough to hold the thick crust and layers of cheese and sauce. Usually around 2-3 inches deep.
- Sturdy material – The pan should be made of a sturdy, heavyweight material to prevent warping at high oven temperatures. Common materials are cast iron or aluminized steel.
- Dark colored – A dark pan will absorb and conduct heat well for crisping the crust. Black is ideal.
- Nonstick coating – A good nonstick surface will help release the pizza from the pan and make cleanup easier.
- 10-14 inch diameter – Standard sizes to fit a shareable amount of pizza.
Recommended Deep Dish Pizza Pan Options
Here are some top-rated deep dish pizza pans that will help you achieve Chicago-style results:
Cast Iron Deep Dish Pizza Pan
Cast iron pans are ideal for deep dish pizza because they evenly conduct and retain heat. The heavy material crisps up the crust while keeping the interior moist. Cast iron provides excellent heat retention and distribution. Enameled cast iron pans make serving and cleanup easy.
Recommended cast iron deep dish pizza pan options:
- Lodge Color Enameled Cast Iron Pan – 10.25 inch
- Camp Chef Cast Iron Deep Dish Pizza Pan – 14 inch
- Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Pan – 11.75 inch
Stainless Steel Deep Dish Pizza Pan
Stainless steel deep dish pizza pans are affordable, lightweight, and durable. Stainless steel conducts heat evenly. These pans often have perforated bottoms to allow excess moisture to drip away from the crust.
Recommended stainless steel deep dish pizza pan options:
- Kitchen Supply 14 Inch Stainless Steel Perforated Deep Dish Pizza Pan
- Cuisinart Nonstick Stainless Steel Deep Dish Pizza Pan – 14 inch
- Chicago Metallic Professional Nonstick Deep Dish Pizza Pan – 10 inch
Aluminized Steel Deep Dish Pizza Pan
Aluminized steel pizza pans have a layer of aluminum coating over steel. This makes them excellent conductors of heat and ideal for crisping crusts. The lightweight material also heats up and cools down quickly. An affordable option.
Recommended aluminized steel deep dish pizza pan options:
- Wilton Perfect Results Premium Nonstick Deep Dish Pizza Pan – 14 inch
- Golden Home Nonstick Deep Dish Pizza Pan – 10 inch
- Oddity Inc Commercial Deep Dish Pizza Pan – 14 inch
Tips for Using a Deep Dish Pizza Pan
To get the most out of your deep dish pizza pan, follow these tips:
- Preheat the empty pan first – Heat oven to 425-450°F and preheat pan for 10-15 mins before adding dough and toppings. This will ensure the crust browns and cooks evenly.
- Spread dough up sides – Spread dough 2-3 inches up sides of pan to get that high-rise crust.
- Load on toppings – Don’t skimp on cheese and sauce, the deep pan can hold a lot. Typical layering is cheese on bottom, then dough pressed in pan sides, sauce, more cheese, and any other toppings.
- Use parchment paper – Lining pan with parchment will prevent sticking and make serving easier.
- Bake longer – Bake for 45-60 minutes, until crust is browned and fillings are bubbling. Cast iron pans may take 5-10 mins longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size pan works best for deep dish pizza?
The most common and useful sizes for deep dish pizza pans are 10, 12, and 14 inches in diameter. A 10-inch pan is good for individual servings, while 12 and 14-inch pans are better for feeding groups and families. The larger pans will hold more substantial layered fillings.
What material should I look for in a deep dish pizza pan?
Cast iron, stainless steel, and aluminized steel are the best materials for deep dish pizza pans. Look for something with excellent heat conduction to crisp the crust, combined with a nonstick coating for easy release and cleaning.
Are perforated deep dish pans better?
Perforated pans with hole-punched bottoms allow excess moisture to drain away, keeping pizza from getting soggy. They can be beneficial when using very juicy toppings or fillings with high moisture content. However, they are not mandatory for good deep dish pizza.
Can I use a cake pan or casserole dish instead?
In a pinch, a metal cake pan or casserole dish can work as a substitute. The higher sides allow you to pile on deep layers. Just keep in mind heat may not distribute or crisp up crust as evenly as a purpose-made pizza pan. Best results come from using a pan designed specifically for deep dish pizza.
Should I grease or oil the deep dish pizza pan?
If your pan has a quality nonstick coating, greasing or oiling is not necessary. For stainless steel or cast iron pans without nonstick surfaces, lightly greasing with oil can help prevent sticking. You can also line the pan with parchment paper to keep pizza from sticking.
Conclusion
A good deep dish pizza pan needs to be made of a heat conductive material like cast iron, steel, or aluminum. It should have 2-3 inch high sides to hold the bountiful crust and toppings that distinguish deep dish pizza. Dark metal pans will bake the best crust. While specialty pans are best, a metal cake pan can work in a pinch. Follow tips like preheating, piling on toppings, and baking at high heat to achieve pizza with a crispy exterior and moist interior. The right pan provides the foundation for authentic deep dish pizza success at home.