Chicago-style pizza, main dish from the United States: what it is and how it is eaten

Chicago-style pizza is a thick, pan-cooked pizza known for its high crust, generous cheese, and chunky tomato sauce layered above the cheese. Originating in Chicago in the 1940s, it is often called deep-dish pizza and has inspired a stuffed version with even more cheese and a second crust. It is a signature dish of Chicago and eaten for lunch or dinner.

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Invented at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago in 1943
Cheese and toppings go under a layer of chunky tomato sauce
Stuffed pizza variation adds a second crust and more cheese
Crust sometimes made with cornmeal for texture
Eaten with a knife and fork due to its thickness

What is Chicago-style pizza?

Chicago-style pizza is a pan-baked pizza with a thick, tall crust that forms a deep base and sides. The crust is filled with a generous amount of mozzarella cheese and other toppings like meats or vegetables. Instead of the sauce going under the cheese, a chunky tomato sauce is ladled over the top before baking. The result is a hearty, layered pizza that is eaten with a knife and fork. Stuffed pizza, a related style, adds even more cheese and a second, thinner crust under the sauce.

Where does Chicago-style pizza come from?

This pizza style was created in Chicago at Pizzeria Uno in 1943 by Ike Sewell and Richard Riccardo. Early recipes used dough made with scalded milk, butter, and sugar, later changed to water and olive oil. Alice Mae Redmond, a cook at Uno and later Gino's East, helped develop the crust, making it fattier and biscuit-like. Rudy Malnati, Uno's original chef, is also credited with shaping the recipe. The style spread as former Uno staff opened their own pizzerias, making deep-dish pizza a Chicago icon.

How is Chicago-style pizza made?

The dough for Chicago-style pizza is pressed into a deep, round pan so it rises up the sides. The crust may be parbaked for texture. Cheese and toppings are layered directly onto the crust, followed by a thick layer of chunky tomato sauce. The pizza is then baked until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted. Stuffed pizza uses a second, thin layer of dough over the cheese and toppings, with sauce poured on top before baking.

Pizza from Lou Malnati's in Chicago. Photo: Mad Mod Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Chicago-style pizza eaten?

Chicago-style pizza is usually served hot, cut into wedges or squares. It is eaten for lunch or dinner, often as a shared meal. Because of its thickness and layers, it is typically eaten with a knife and fork rather than by hand. It is a popular choice for gatherings, family meals, and as a signature food for visitors to Chicago.

Kinds of Chicago-style pizza

Stuffed pizza is a major variation, created in the 1970s by Nancy's Pizza and Giordano's in Chicago. This style is even deeper, with a second crust covering the cheese and toppings, and more cheese than the original deep-dish. Some recipes use cornmeal in the dough for extra texture. Each pizzeria may have its own take on the crust and sauce, but all share the signature tall sides and layered filling.

What Chicago-style pizza means

Chicago-style pizza is a point of pride for the city and is closely tied to its food identity. Many local pizzerias are famous for their own versions, and the dish is featured in cookbooks and food writing about Chicago. The rivalry between deep-dish and other pizza styles, especially New York-style, is a frequent topic in American food culture.

Questions people ask about Chicago-style pizza

What is Chicago-style pizza made of?

It is made with pizza dough, mozzarella cheese, chunky tomato sauce, and often meats or vegetables. The cheese and toppings are layered under the sauce, and the crust is thick and tall.

Where did Chicago-style pizza come from?

It was invented in Chicago, United States, at Pizzeria Uno in 1943. The style was developed by Ike Sewell, Richard Riccardo, and their cook Alice Mae Redmond.

How is Chicago-style pizza different from regular pizza?

Unlike most pizzas, Chicago-style has a deep, tall crust and the tomato sauce is on top of the cheese and toppings. It is baked in a round pan, making it much thicker than typical pizza.

What is stuffed pizza?

Stuffed pizza is a variation of Chicago-style pizza with even more cheese and a second, thin crust covering the toppings, all baked under a layer of tomato sauce.

How is Chicago-style pizza usually eaten?

Because of its thickness and layers, it is typically eaten with a knife and fork, often as a shared meal for lunch or dinner.

Good reading and sources

Chicago’s Deep Dish History: It All Started With Uno’sEater, Article

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Deep-dish pizza", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Chicago-style pizza