Chicago-Style Stuffed Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 package of pizza dough
• 1 cup of ricotta cheese
• 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh oregano
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 cup of pizza sauce
• 1/4 cup of chopped pepperoni, sausage, or other toppings

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch (30 cm) circle.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, basil, and oregano.
4. Spread the cheese mixture evenly on the pizza dough, leaving a 1-inch (2.5 cm) border around the edge.
5. Fold the edges of the pizza dough over the cheese mixture, pleating the dough as you go.
6. Brush the top of the pizza dough with the olive oil and sprinkle with the garlic powder, oregano, pepper, and salt.
7. Spread the pizza sauce on top of the cheese mixture and sprinkle with the chopped pepperoni, sausage, or other toppings.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
9. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Interesting Facts

• The traditional Chicago-style stuffed pizza is made with a thick crust and is filled with cheese, sausage, and other toppings.
• The pizza is then folded over and baked in a deep-dish pan.
• The pizza was invented in the 1940s by Italian immigrants in Chicago.