Homemade Keto Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

Introduction

Welcome to our detailed recipe guide for crafting a delicious Homemade Keto Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza. This recipe is designed to accommodate a ketogenic diet, offering a low-carb alternative to the traditional deep dish pizza. Chicago-style deep dish pizza is known for its thick, buttery crust and generous layers of cheese and toppings. We’ve adapted this classic recipe to fit keto guidelines, ensuring that you can indulge in a hearty, satisfying meal without compromising your dietary goals. This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions, ingredient measurements, and nutritional information, ensuring you can create a perfect keto pizza every time.

Ingredients

For the Keto Deep Dish Crust:

  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Pizza Filling:

  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers (any color)
  • 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1/2 cup diced onions
  • 2 cups sugar-free pizza sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your pizza will cook evenly and the crust will come out perfectly.

2. Prepare the Keto Crust:

  • Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of almond flour, 1/2 cup of coconut flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
  • Add Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 large egg and 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well.
  • Incorporate Cheese: Fold in 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until the mixture forms a dough.
  • Press Into Pan: Grease a 9-inch deep dish pizza pan or a similar-sized baking dish. Press the dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan to form the crust.

3. Pre-Bake the Crust:

  • Bake Crust: Place the crust in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until it starts to set and is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

4. Prepare the Pizza Filling:

  • Cook Sausage and Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1/2 pound of Italian sausage and 1/2 pound of ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat and set aside.
  • Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the diced onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
  • Mix Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 cup of ricotta cheese, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

5. Assemble the Pizza:

  • Layer Ingredients: Spread a layer of the cheese mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust. Top with the cooked sausage and beef mixture, followed by the sautéed vegetables.
  • Add Pizza Sauce: Spread 2 cups of sugar-free pizza sauce evenly over the top of the pizza.
  • Season: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (if using) over the sauce.

6. Bake the Pizza:

  • Bake: Return the assembled pizza to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
  • Cool Slightly: Allow the pizza to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing to let it set and make cutting easier.

7. Serve:

  • Slice and Enjoy: Slice the pizza into 8 wedges and serve hot. Garnish with additional fresh herbs or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutritional Information (per serving, assuming 8 servings total):

  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 35 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 15 grams
  • Cholesterol: 120 milligrams
  • Sodium: 850 milligrams
  • Total Carbohydrates: 10 grams
  • Net Carbohydrates: 6 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 4 grams
  • Sugars: 3 grams
  • Protein: 25 grams

Weight Watchers SmartPoints:

This Keto Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza is approximately 9 SmartPoints per serving on the Weight Watchers Freestyle plan. The Points value can vary based on specific ingredient brands and substitutions, so be sure to check the SmartPoints value of your chosen ingredients for the most accurate calculation.

Expert Tips:

  1. Cheese Variety: For a richer flavor, you can use a mix of different cheeses such as Gouda or provolone in addition to the mozzarella and Parmesan.
  2. Vegetable Options: Feel free to customize the vegetable toppings based on your preferences or what you have on hand.
  3. Crust Texture: If you prefer a crispier crust, you can bake it a bit longer before adding the fillings, or briefly broil it at the end to get a golden finish.
  4. Freezing: This pizza freezes well. To freeze, bake and cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze. Reheat in the oven for best results.

Serving Suggestions:

Pair this keto deep dish pizza with a side salad or a serving of roasted vegetables for a balanced meal. This dish is great for meal prep and can be enjoyed as leftovers throughout the week.

Conclusion:

Our Homemade Keto Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza provides a low-carb twist on the beloved classic. With a buttery almond flour crust, layers of gooey cheese, and flavorful toppings, this recipe ensures you can enjoy a hearty, satisfying pizza while staying true to your ketogenic lifestyle. This comprehensive guide offers detailed instructions and nutritional information to help you create the perfect keto deep dish pizza. Enjoy this delicious and comforting meal with family and friends, all while adhering to your low-carb dietary goals.