Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza Muffins Recipe

Introduction

Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza Muffins bring the rich, cheesy goodness of deep-dish pizza into a convenient, bite-sized treat. Perfect for parties or a fun twist on pizza night, these muffins are packed with Italian sausage, three kinds of cheese, and classic pizza flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 (16 oz) package pizza dough
• 4 oz provolone cheese, diced
• ¾ cup cooked, crumbled Italian sausage
• ½ cup cooked, diced sweet peppers
• 4 oz mozzarella cheese, grated
• ½ cup pizza sauce
• ¾ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly brush a muffin tin with olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 12 equal squares large enough to line the muffin cups.
3. Step 3: Gently press each dough square into the muffin cups, creating little dough cups with edges above the rim.
4. Step 4: Add a spoonful of pizza sauce into each dough cup, then layer with diced provolone, Italian sausage, sweet peppers, and grated mozzarella.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle the top of each muffin generously with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
6. Step 6: Bake muffins in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes or until the dough is golden and cheese is bubbly and browned slightly.
7. Step 7: Let the pizza muffins cool for a few minutes before removing them from the tin to allow the cheese to set slightly.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute Italian sausage with pepperoni or cooked bacon for a different flavor.
• Add chopped fresh basil or oregano to the filling for an herby aroma.
• Use a mix of sweet and hot peppers to adjust the heat to your taste.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add mushrooms or olives instead.

Storage

Store leftover pizza muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving to keep the crust from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-made pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, pre-made pizza dough works perfectly and saves prep time. Just make sure it’s thawed if frozen and follow the recipe instructions for shaping.

How do I prevent the dough from sticking to the muffin tin?

Brushing the muffin tin cups with olive oil before adding the dough helps prevent sticking. You can also use non-stick spray or line with parchment small squares for easier removal.

Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza Muffins Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 70 reviews

These Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza Muffins offer a fun, portable twist on the classic deep-dish pizza. With a golden crust, gooey layers of provolone, mozzarella, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses, savory Italian sausage, sweet peppers, and tangy pizza sauce baked inside muffin tins, these muffins capture the flavors of Chicago-style pizza in individual servings. They’re perfect for a snack, party appetizer, or an easy dinner option.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 pizza muffins 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pizza Muffin Base

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 (16 oz) package pizza dough

Fillings

• 4 oz provolone cheese, diced
• ¾ cup cooked, crumbled Italian sausage
• ½ cup cooked, diced sweet peppers
• 4 oz mozzarella cheese, grated
• ½ cup pizza sauce
• ¾ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the pizza muffins.
2. Prepare Muffin Tin: Lightly brush or spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with olive oil to prevent sticking.
3. Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough evenly to about ¼ inch thickness, large enough to cut into 12 roughly equal pieces.
4. Line Muffin Cups: Press each piece of dough into the bottom and sides of the muffin cups, forming a dough cup to hold the fillings.
5. Layer Fillings: Start by placing diced provolone cheese evenly into each dough cup, followed by the crumbled Italian sausage, then cooked sweet peppers.
6. Add Sauces and Cheeses: Spoon about a tablespoon of pizza sauce atop the fillings in each cup, then sprinkle grated mozzarella, and finish with a generous topping of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
7. Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Cool and Serve: Allow the pizza muffins to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them with a knife or small spatula. Serve warm.

Notes

• You can substitute Italian sausage with pepperoni or mushrooms for a different flavor profile.
• Make sure to fully cook the sausage and peppers before assembling to ensure even cooking inside the muffins.
• Use fresh pizza dough for best results; frozen dough can be used if thawed properly.
• These muffins are best served warm but can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
• If desired, add fresh basil or oregano on top before baking for extra aroma and taste.

Keywords: Chicago deep dish, pizza muffins, appetizer, Italian sausage, cheesy pizza bites, party food, handheld pizza