description Stuffed Pizza Overview
Stuffed pizza is a pizza style in which cheese, sauce, and other fillings are enclosed between layers of dough rather than placed only on an exposed crust. Chicago-style versions are commonly baked in a deep pan, with a lower crust, a thinner top layer of dough, and tomato sauce spread above it. It is intended as a substantial shared meal and should not be confused with a folded calzone, which is sealed into an individual crescent shape.
help Stuffed Pizza FAQ
What is the difference between stuffed pizza and Chicago deep dish?
Stuffed pizza encloses cheese and fillings between a bottom crust and a thin top layer of dough, with tomato sauce spread on top, then bakes in a deep pan. Chicago deep dish, in the style of Lou Malnati's, uses a single tall-sided buttery crust with ingredients layered in it rather than sealed under a second dough lid.
Who invented Chicago stuffed pizza?
It is credited to Rocco and Nancy Palese, who created it at their Chicago pizzeria in the early 1970s, commonly dated to 1971, drawing inspiration from an Italian Easter pie. Their restaurant, Nancy's Pizza, is still strongly associated with the style.
Why does stuffed pizza take so long to bake?
The layered construction and sheer mass of cheese mean a whole stuffed pizza usually needs 30 to 45 minutes in the oven. That is why pizzerias like Giordano's famously recommend ordering it well ahead of sitting down.
Can I get authentic Chicago stuffed pizza shipped to me outside Chicago?
Yes, chains like Giordano's and Lou Malnati's ship partially baked, frozen pizzas nationwide with overnight packaging. Quality is close to in-restaurant, though the crust texture changes a bit from the re-bake.
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