Deep-Dish Pepperoni Pizza

Today is Election Day in the United States. SP and I love staying up late to watch the returns (probably a hold-over from our days as reporters), so we wanted a fun meal for dinner. I recently saw an episode of ATK where they made deep-dish pizza in pie pans that I'd been meaning to try.


This was a really easy meal to make. I buy my own dough (which was probably the reason the pizza wasn't very deep) but it really cut down the prep time. Microwaving the pepperoni first was a huge plus - there was hardly any grease on the pizza. And the oil in the pan gave the crust a fantastic, crispy crust.


Next time I make these I'm going to try mushroom, per SP's request. We devoured a whole pan and could have kept eating.



Deep Dish Pepperoni Pan Pizza
America's Test Kitchen

Dough
1/2 cup olive oil
3/4 cup skim milk plus 2 additional tablespoons, warmed to 110 degrees
2 teaspoons sugar
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour , plus extra for counter
1 package instant yeast
1/2 teaspoon table salt

Topping
1 (3.5-ounce) package sliced pepperoni
1 1/3 cups pizza sauce
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

To make the dough: Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 200 degrees. When oven reaches 200 degrees, turn it off. Lightly grease large bowl with cooking spray. Coat each of two 9-inch cake pans with 2 tablespoons oil.

Mix milk, sugar, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in measuring cup. Mix flour, yeast, and salt in standing mixer fitted with dough hook. Turn machine to low and slowly add milk mixture. After dough comes together, increase speed to medium-low and mix until dough is shiny and smooth, about 5 minutes. Turn dough onto lightly floured counter, gently shape into ball, and place in greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in warm oven until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

Transfer dough to lightly floured counter, divide in half, and lightly roll each half into ball. Roll and shape each ball into 9-inch round and press into oiled pan. Cover with plastic wrap and set in warm spot until puffy, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oven to 400 degrees.

While dough rises, put half the pepperoni in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate lined with 3 paper towels. Cover with 3 more paper towels and microwave on high for 30-45 seconds. Repeat with new paper towels and remaining pepperoni.

Remove plastic wrap from dough. Ladle 2/3 cup sauce on each round, leaving 1/2-inch border around edges. Sprinkle each with 1 1/2 cups cheese and top with pepperoni. Bake until cheese is melted and pepperoni is browning around edges, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven; let pizzas rest in pans for 1 minute. Using spatula, transfer pizzas to cutting board and cut each into 8 wedges.