This Hearty Deep Dish Pizza is a comforting, restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. Using frozen bread dough as the base, you get a thick, chewy crust that holds up to generous layers of toppings. The combination of fat-free mozzarella, rich pasta sauce, and fresh vegetables like onions and green peppers creates a balanced flavor profile that is both satisfying and lighter than traditional pizza. ItâÂÂs perfect for cozy weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or when you crave a hearty Italian-inspired dish without the hassle of making dough from scratch. Customize the veggies to your liking for a personalized touch.
Hearty Deep Dish Pizza
Description
This Hearty Deep Dish Pizza is a comforting, restaurant-quality meal that&# 226;ÂÂs surprisingly easy to make at home. Using frozen bread dough as the base, you get a thick, chewy crust that holds up to generous layers of toppings. The combination of fat-free mozzarella, rich pasta sauce, and fresh vegetables like onions and green peppers creates a balanced flavor profile that is both satisfying and lighter than traditional pizza. ItâÂÂs perfect for cozy weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or when you crave a hearty Italian-inspired dish without the hassle of making dough from scratch. Customize the veggies to your liking for a personalized touch.Ingredients
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 450ðF (230ðC).
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Allow the frozen bread dough to thaw completely at room temperature until pliable.
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Lightly spray a 13x9-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
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Press the thawed dough evenly onto the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pan, creating a rim about 1 inch high.
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Bake the crust alone for 10 minutes to prevent sogginess.
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Remove the pan from the oven and spread 8 oz of fat-free shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pre-baked crust.
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In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of healthy pasta sauce, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1 teaspoon dried basil.
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Spread the sauce mixture evenly over the layer of mozzarella cheese.
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Distribute 1 cup of onion rings and 1 cup of green pepper rings evenly over the sauce.
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Sprinkle 8 oz of fat-free shredded pizza cheese over the vegetables.
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Return the pan to the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the crust edges are deep golden brown.
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Let the pizza rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 301.9kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 3.6g6%
- Saturated Fat 0.7g4%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 557.3mg24%
- Total Carbohydrate 55.6g19%
- Dietary Fiber 3.1g13%
- Sugars 5.7g
- Protein 10.2g21%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
For best results, ensure the dough is fully thawed and soft enough to press into the pan without cracking. If the dough resists, let it sit for another 10-15 minutes.
You can substitute the fat-free mozzarella with any vegan cheese alternative that melts well. Nutritional yeast can also be added for a cheesy flavor boost.
Feel free to customize the vegetables. Mushrooms, spinach, or olives are excellent additions. Just ensure any added vegetables are chopped finely to distribute evenly.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350ðF for 10 minutes to crisp up the crust again.
