5 Secrets To Making The Ultimate Vegan Deep Dish Pizza
Key Takeaways:
- This Vegan Deep Dish Pizza delivers authentic Chicago-style taste with 100% plant-based ingredients
- Perfect for 4 people with detailed instructions even first-time pizza makers can follow
- Features a buttery thick crust, gooey cheese, and chunky toppings in perfect harmony
- Learn professional techniques for layering ingredients the Chicago way
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Deep Dish Pizza
Craving that iconic Chicago-style pizza experience but eating plant-based? I’ve spent countless hours perfecting this Vegan Deep Dish Pizza recipe that delivers all the comfort and satisfaction of the original without any animal products. The magic happens in the special layering technique – cheese first, sauce on top – creating that unmistakable deep dish experience.
This Vegan Deep Dish Pizza isn’t just good “for vegan food” – it’s a showstopper that will impress everyone at your table. The buttery crust rises tall around rich layers of melty vegan cheese, savory plant-based sausage, and a chunky tomato sauce that would make any pizzeria proud.
Nutrition Comparison
| Nutrient | Traditional Deep Dish (1 slice) | Vegan Deep Dish (1 slice) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 450 | 380 |
| Total Fat | 25g | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 55mg | 0mg |
| Sodium | 980mg | 760mg |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 42g |
| Protein | 18g | 15g |
Time & Servings
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 4 people (8 slices)
Ingredients & Equipment
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| For the Vegan Deep Dish Crust: | ||
| All-purpose flour | 3 cups | Base for the dough |
| Active dry yeast | 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) | Leavening agent |
| Sugar | 1 tsp | Activates yeast |
| Salt | 1 tsp | Enhances flavor |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp + 1 tbsp for bowl | Adds richness |
| Warm water | 1 cup | Activates yeast |
| Cornmeal | 2 tbsp | Prevents sticking |
| For the Tomato Sauce: | ||
| Crushed tomatoes | 1 (28 oz) can | Sauce base |
| Garlic | 4 cloves, minced | Flavor |
| Olive oil | 1 tbsp | For sautéing |
| Dried oregano | 1 tsp | Seasoning |
| Dried basil | 1 tsp | Seasoning |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp | Enhances flavor |
| Black pepper | 1/4 tsp | Adds spice |
| For the Vegan Deep Dish Filling: | ||
| Vegan mozzarella shreds | 16 oz | Main filling |
| Green pepper | 1, sliced | Adds texture & flavor |
| Onion | 1, sliced | Adds flavor |
| Vegan Italian sausage | 8 oz, crumbled | Protein element |
| Vegan parmesan | 1/4 cup (optional) | Extra flavor |
Kitchen Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 9-inch round cake pan or deep dish pizza pan | Baking vessel |
| Large mixing bowl | For preparing dough |
| Medium mixing bowl | For dry ingredients |
| Small saucepan | For sauce |
| Measuring cups and spoons | Accurate measurements |
| Digital kitchen thermometer (optional) | Testing water temperature |
| Rolling pin | Rolling dough |
| Clean kitchen towel | Covering dough |
| Wooden spoon | Mixing ingredients |
| Silicone spatula | Scraping bowl |
| Cutting board | Prep surface |
| Chef’s knife | Cutting vegetables |
| Pastry brush | Oiling pan |
| Kitchen scissors | Trimming dough |
| Timer | Tracking time |
| Oven mitts | Safety |
| Cooling rack | Holding hot pan |
Super-Detailed Beginner’s Guide to Vegan Deep Dish Pizza
Before You Begin: Preparation (15 minutes)
- Read the entire recipe twice
- Highlight or note any unfamiliar terms
- Identify steps you can prepare ahead
- Make sure you have enough time (2+ hours total)
- Prepare your workspace
- Clear and clean counter space (at least 2 feet square)
- Run dishwasher or clear sink for dirty dishes
- Put on apron if available
- Tie back long hair
- Gather all ingredients
- Set out all ingredients on counter
- Check expiration dates, especially on yeast
- Allow refrigerated items to reach room temperature
- Measure ingredients into small bowls if desired
- Gather all equipment
- Ensure cake pan/pizza pan is clean and dry
- Make sure oven racks are positioned properly
- Check that you have clean kitchen towels ready
- Wash hands thoroughly
- Use soap and warm water
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds
- Dry with clean towel
Stage 1: Making the Vegan Deep Dish Pizza Dough (30 minutes + 60 minutes rise time)
- Activate the yeast (10 minutes)
- Find a medium bowl for the yeast mixture
- Measure exactly 1 cup water in liquid measuring cup
- Test water temperature (should be 110-115°F)
- If you don’t have a thermometer, water should feel warm but not hot on inside of wrist
- If too hot, let cool – hot water kills yeast
- If too cold, microwave briefly – cold water won’t activate yeast
- Pour warm water into bowl
- Add exactly 1 tsp sugar and stir with spoon until dissolved
- Sprinkle 2 1/4 tsp (one packet) yeast evenly over water surface
- Don’t stir – let it sit undisturbed for 5-10 minutes
- Watch for foaming and bubbling – this means yeast is alive
- If no foam appears after 10 minutes, your yeast might be dead – start over with fresh yeast
- Prepare dry ingredients (5 minutes)
- Find a large mixing bowl for flour mixture
- Measure 3 cups flour using dry measuring cups
- Spoon flour into measuring cup, don’t scoop directly
- Level off with straight edge of knife
- Add 1 tsp salt to flour
- Whisk flour and salt together until fully combined
- Make a well (depression) in center of flour mixture
- Combine wet and dry ingredients (5 minutes)
- Check that yeast mixture is foamy
- Add 2 tbsp olive oil to yeast mixture
- Stir yeast mixture briefly
- Pour yeast mixture into well in flour
- Using wooden spoon, stir from center outward in circular motion
- Incorporate flour gradually from sides
- Mix until no dry flour remains and dough forms
- Dough will look rough and shaggy – this is normal!
- Knead the dough (10-15 minutes)
- Sprinkle clean countertop with 1/4 cup flour
- Scrape dough onto floured surface using spatula
- Dust your hands with flour to prevent sticking
- Begin kneading process:
- Fold far edge of dough toward you
- Push dough away with heel of hands
- Rotate dough quarter turn (90 degrees)
- Repeat folding, pushing, and turning
- Continue kneading 8-10 minutes, adding small amounts of flour if too sticky
- Properly kneaded dough should:
- Feel smooth and elastic
- Spring back when poked gently
- Stretch without immediately tearing
- No longer stick to your hands or counter
- Form into smooth ball by tucking edges under repeatedly
- For the best pizza dough technique, check out my homemade pizza dough guide
- First rise (60 minutes)
- Find a clean, large bowl
- Add 1 tbsp olive oil to bowl
- Place dough ball in bowl and roll in oil to coat completely
- Cover bowl with clean, damp kitchen towel
- Place in warm, draft-free spot:
- Near a warm oven
- In turned-off microwave
- On top of refrigerator
- Set timer for 60 minutes
- Dough should double in size
- Test readiness: press finger 1/2 inch into dough
- If indent remains, dough is ready
- If dough springs back completely, let rise longer
Stage 2: Preparing the Vegan Deep Dish Pizza Sauce (Make during dough rise – 25 minutes)
- Prep sauce ingredients (5 minutes)
- Find cutting board and sharp knife
- Peel 4 garlic cloves:
- Place clove on cutting board
- Press with flat side of knife until skin loosens
- Remove and discard skin
- Mince garlic finely:
- Slice cloves lengthwise
- Cut into thin strips
- Chop strips into tiny pieces
- Open can of crushed tomatoes
- Find and measure all dried herbs and spices:
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Cook the sauce (20 minutes)
- Place small saucepan on stove
- Add 1 tbsp olive oil to pan
- Turn heat to medium
- Wait until oil shimmers (about 1 minute)
- Add minced garlic
- Stir constantly with wooden spoon
- Cook until fragrant but not brown (about 30-60 seconds)
- Caution: Garlic burns easily and becomes bitter
- Carefully add crushed tomatoes:
- Stand back as tomatoes may splatter
- Pour slowly
- Add all measured seasonings
- Stir thoroughly to combine
- Reduce heat to low (small bubbles, not rapid boiling)
- Simmer uncovered 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Sauce should thicken slightly and coat back of spoon
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed
- Remove from heat
- Let cool while preparing other ingredients
- If you love garlic-forward pizza sauces, you might enjoy my roasted garlic pesto pizza recipe as well!
Stage 3: Preparing Vegan Deep Dish Pizza Toppings (During dough rise – 15 minutes)
- Prepare vegetables (10 minutes)
- Find cutting board and clean knife
- Green pepper preparation:
- Wash pepper under cool running water
- Pat dry with paper towel
- Stand pepper upright on cutting board
- Slice off top and bottom
- Cut down one side and open pepper flat
- Remove seeds and white membranes
- Slice into thin strips (about 1/4 inch wide)
- Set aside in small bowl
- Onion preparation:
- Cut off top (stem end) of onion
- Cut off bottom (root end) of onion
- Peel off outer papery skin
- Cut in half from top to bottom
- Place flat side down on cutting board
- Slice into thin half-moons (about 1/8 inch thick)
- Set aside in small bowl
- Rinse hands to remove onion smell
- Prepare vegan sausage (5 minutes)
- Open package of vegan Italian sausage
- If in links, remove casings if necessary
- Place in bowl
- Break/crumble into small pieces using fingers or fork
- Pieces should be bite-sized (about 1/2 inch)
- Set aside
- Prepare cheese (5 minutes)
- Open package of vegan mozzarella shreds
- Measure 2 cups for bottom layer
- Place in bowl
- Leave remaining cheese in package for topping
- If using block cheese, shred with box grater
Stage 4: Assembling Your Vegan Deep Dish Pizza (30 minutes)
- Prepare the pan (5 minutes)
- Make sure oven rack is positioned in lower third of oven
- Preheat oven to 425°F
- Allow at least 20 minutes for full preheating
- Take 9-inch round cake pan or deep dish pizza pan
- Pour 1 tbsp olive oil into pan
- Using pastry brush or paper towel, coat entire inside of pan
- Bottom and sides should be well-oiled
- No dry spots
- Sprinkle 2 tbsp cornmeal evenly over bottom of pan
- Tilt and tap pan to distribute cornmeal over bottom and sides
- Set prepared pan aside
- Shape the dough (15 minutes)
- Check that dough has doubled in size
- Gently punch down center of dough with fist
- Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface
- Knead briefly (4-5 times) to remove air bubbles
- Pat into flat circle with hands
- Dust rolling pin with flour
- Begin rolling dough:
- Start from center and roll outward
- Apply even pressure
- Turn dough 45 degrees between rolls
- Add small amounts of flour if sticking
- Roll into 14-inch circle (about 5 inches larger than pan)
- Dough should be even thickness (about 1/4 inch)
- Tip: Measure by holding pan above dough to compare sizes
- Transfer dough to pan (5 minutes)
- Set rolling pin at edge of dough
- Gently roll dough around rolling pin (like wrapping)
- Lift rolling pin with wrapped dough
- Position over prepared pan
- Slowly unroll dough over pan
- Don’t worry if it’s not perfect!
- Gently press dough into corners and up sides
- Don’t pull or stretch dough (causes shrinking)
- Dough should hang over edge by about 1 inch
- Trim excess with kitchen scissors if hanging more than 1 inch
- Pinch edges to form high rim all around
- Press rim firmly to create good seal
- Check for any tears or holes
- Patch any holes with small pieces of excess dough
- Layer the ingredients (10 minutes)
- Layer 1 – Cheese base:
- Spread 2 cups vegan mozzarella evenly over bottom of dough
- This unique Chicago-style layering is what makes Vegan Deep Dish Pizza special!
- Layer 2 – Vegan sausage:
- Distribute crumbled vegan sausage evenly over cheese
- Cover entire surface
- Layer 3 – Vegetables:
- Arrange green pepper strips over sausage
- Distribute sliced onions evenly
- Don’t pile too high in center
- Layer 4 – Sauce:
- Check that sauce has cooled slightly
- Using ladle or large spoon, carefully pour sauce over vegetables
- Spread to edges with back of spoon
- Make sure sauce covers all toppings
- Layer 5 – Final cheese:
- Sprinkle remaining vegan mozzarella over sauce
- Add optional vegan parmesan if using
- Layer 1 – Cheese base:
Stage 5: Baking Your Vegan Deep Dish Pizza (45 minutes)
- Initial bake (30 minutes)
- Ensure oven has preheated to 425°F
- Carefully place pizza on bottom rack of oven
- Set timer for 30 minutes
- Resist opening oven door (causes heat loss)
- Check through oven window if possible
- After 30 minutes, crust edge should be light golden brown
- Final bake (15 minutes)
- Using oven mitts, carefully move pizza to middle rack
- Caution: Pan will be very hot!
- Bake additional 15 minutes
- Watch for these signs of doneness:
- Crust is deep golden brown
- Sauce is bubbling
- Cheese on top is melted and lightly browned
- Internal temperature of 190°F if you have thermometer
- Cooling phase (15 minutes)
- Place oven mitts on both hands
- Carefully remove pizza from oven
- Place hot pan on cooling rack or heat-resistant surface
- IMPORTANT: Let pizza rest 15 minutes minimum
- This isn’t optional!
- Allows structure to set
- Prevents soggy slices
- Avoids mouth burns
- During cooling:
- Steam will release
- Cheese will set slightly
- Flavors will meld
- Use this time to clean up kitchen
- Set table for serving
- Serving your Vegan Deep Dish Pizza
- After resting period, run butter knife around edge of pan
- This loosens crust from sides
- Identify where to cut (8 equal slices)
- Use sharp knife or pizza cutter
- Cut with firm pressure through all layers
- Use wide spatula to lift first slice
- The first slice is always the hardest to remove cleanly
- Transfer slices to plates
- Garnish with fresh basil if desired
- Serve while still warm
Troubleshooting Your Vegan Deep Dish Pizza
Common Issues and Solutions
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Dough won’t rise | Old/dead yeast or improper temperature | Test yeast freshness before starting; ensure water is 110-115°F |
| Soggy bottom crust | Too much sauce or moisture in toppings | Pre-bake crust 10 minutes before adding toppings; drain tomatoes well |
| Crust burning but inside undercooked | Oven too hot or rack position wrong | Lower temperature to 400°F; use middle rack for entire baking time |
| Filling spilling over sides | Too many toppings or pan too small | Use less filling; ensure pan has high enough sides (at least 2 inches) |
| Cheese not melting properly | Some vegan cheeses need higher heat | Try different brand; cover with foil and bake additional 5 minutes |
| Crust shrinking during baking | Overworked dough or not rested enough | Handle dough gently; ensure full rise time; don’t stretch when placing in pan |
| Sauce too watery | Not cooked long enough | Simmer sauce longer; add 1 tbsp tomato paste to thicken |
Variations & Substitutions for Your Vegan Deep Dish Pizza
Looking to customize your Vegan Deep Dish Pizza? Here are some delicious options:
Crust Variations:
- Gluten-free Vegan Deep Dish: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend plus 1 tsp xanthan gum
- Whole wheat option: Use 1.5 cups whole wheat and 1.5 cups all-purpose flour for more fiber
- Oil-free crust: Substitute unsweetened applesauce for olive oil in equal amounts
- Herbed crust: Add 1 tbsp Italian seasoning to flour mixture for flavor
- Cornmeal crust: Replace 1/2 cup flour with fine cornmeal for texture
Cheese Alternatives:
- Homemade cashew cheese: Blend 1.5 cups soaked cashews with 1/4 cup nutritional yeast, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt
- Store-bought options: Try Violife, Daiya, Follow Your Heart, or Miyoko’s brands
- Soy-free options: Look for oat, almond or coconut-based vegan cheese alternatives
- Cheese sauce: Use a thick vegan nacho cheese sauce instead of shreds
Topping Combinations:
- Veggie Supreme Vegan Deep Dish: Add mushrooms, black olives, and spinach
- BBQ “Chicken” Vegan Deep Dish: Use vegan chicken pieces with BBQ sauce instead of tomato
- Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza: Add roasted buffalo cauliflower pieces
- Meat Lovers Deep Dish: Mix vegan pepperoni, sausage, and bacon bits
- Hawaiian Style: Add pineapple chunks and vegan ham
- Mediterranean: Use artichoke hearts, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes
For more creative pizza recipes, check out my collection of pizza ideas for endless inspiration!
Storage & Reheating Your Vegan Deep Dish Pizza
Storage Guidelines:
- Allow pizza to cool completely before storing (at least 30 minutes)
- Refrigerate leftovers in airtight container or wrapped in foil
- Keep refrigerated up to 4 days maximum
- If stacking slices, place parchment paper between layers
- For freezing, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap then aluminum foil
- Label with date and contents
- Freeze up to 3 months
Reheating Methods:
| Method | Instructions | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Oven | Preheat to 350°F, place on baking sheet for 10 minutes | Best overall texture and flavor |
| Skillet | Medium heat with lid, add 2 drops water, cover 5 minutes | Crispy bottom, quick option |
| Microwave | 30 seconds per slice on microwave-safe plate | Fastest option, but crust softens |
| Air Fryer | 350°F for 3-4 minutes | Crispy texture, good for 1-2 slices |
| Toaster Oven | 350°F for 7-8 minutes | Good for small portions |
Pro tip: For frozen Vegan Deep Dish Pizza slices, thaw in refrigerator overnight before reheating for best texture and even warming.
Safety Notes & Tips for Vegan Deep Dish Pizza Success
Food Safety:
- Always wash hands before and after handling food
- Refrigerate leftover pizza within 2 hours of baking
- Keep raw ingredients separate from ready-to-eat foods
- Check all ingredient labels for allergens
- Use separate cutting boards for vegetables and plant-based meats
- Check that all ingredients haven’t expired
Kitchen Safety:
- Use oven mitts when handling hot pans and racks
- Keep pot handles turned inward on stovetop
- Let pizza rest before cutting to prevent burns
- Keep kitchen tools clean throughout the process
- Use caution with sharp knives and hot surfaces
- Turn off oven when finished
Pro Tips for Perfect Vegan Deep Dish Pizza:
- Cold dough is easier to handle – if struggling, chill dough 30 minutes before rolling
- Par-bake crust 10 minutes before adding toppings for extra-crispy bottom
- Use low-moisture vegan cheese to prevent sogginess
- Let all ingredients reach room temperature before baking
- Don’t overload with toppings – less is more for deep dish
- Allow full cooling time – cutting too early loses structure
- For best flavor, eat Vegan Deep Dish Pizza fresh on the day it’s made
- Freshly minced garlic gives better flavor than pre-minced
