New York Pizza vs Chicago Deep Pizza Recipes: Which is the Better Pizza Recipe?

Pizza, a beloved dish across the globe, takes on a special significance in the United States, where two major cities claim to make the best version: New York and Chicago.

Ready to compare the famous New York Pizza vs Chicago Deep pizza?

New York-style pizza is famous for its thin, crispy crust which allows the toppings and lightly spiced tomato sauce to shine, easily folded and eaten on the go. In contrast, Chicago deep-dish pizza is like a hearty pie filled with generous layers of cheese, chunky tomato sauce, and various toppings, baked in a round steel pan that gives it its characteristic high edges.

This guide will slice into the details of each pizza style, comparing their characteristics, the experience of eating them, and the passionate followings each has developed.

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Fun Comparison: The Great Pizza Debate

New York-style Pizza: The Urban Icon

Characteristics: Thin, flexible crust with a crispy edge, lightly topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and classic toppings like pepperoni or sausage.

Why We Love It: It’s the quintessential fast food for a New Yorker—grab, fold, and eat as you navigate the bustling city streets. The focus is on a balance of flavors you can enjoy on the go, without the need for utensils.

Perfect For: Pizza purists who argue that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. If you believe less is more and prefer your meal without the need for a plate, this is your pick.

Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza: The Hearty Challenger

• Characteristics: Thick, pie-like crust that can hold a hefty amount of cheese, meat, vegetables, and a thick layer of tomato sauce on top.
• Why We Love It: Each slice is a meal in itself—a lavish, indulgent experience that makes you feel like you’re eating a cheesy casserole with a crust. It’s unapologetically decadent.
• Perfect For: Those who think dinner should be a sit-down affair and love to dive deep into layers of flavor. If you believe more is more, then Chicago’s deep-dish is your kind of pizza.

The Fun Debate

• In Defense of New York Pizza: It’s all about the perfect bite—crispy, chewy, and everything in between. New York pizza respects the hustle of city life. It’s efficient, delicious, and iconic. Plus, you can eat it with one hand!
• In Defense of Chicago Deep-Dish: This is about making pizza the main event of your meal, not just a quick bite. It’s about savoring each lavish, gooey forkful with gusto. Chicago-style isn’t just pizza; it’s an experience.

Conclusion: Which Slice is Right for You?

Do you salute the streamlined efficiency and classic flavors of New York-style pizza, or do you embrace the bold, hearty richness of Chicago deep-dish? Perhaps the only real way to decide is to have one of each—preferably side by side!

This lighthearted debate encourages exploration and enjoyment of two of America’s most famous pizza styles, each beloved for different reasons. Let me know if you’d like to expand on this or explore another comparison!

New York-Style Pizza Recipe

Ingredients:

• Dough:
  • 2 1/4 cups bread flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3/4 cup lukewarm water
• Sauce:
  • 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Toppings:
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Pepperoni slices or other toppings as desired
• Cornmeal (for dusting the pizza peel)

Preparation:

1. Make the Dough:
   • Combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Add olive oil and water, and mix until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface until smooth, about 7 minutes.
   • Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 1-2 hours.
2. Prepare the Sauce:
   • Mix crushed tomatoes, sugar, oregano, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.
3. Assemble the Pizza:
   • Preheat your oven as high as it will go, typically between 450°F to 500°F. If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.
   • Roll out the dough on a surface dusted with cornmeal to prevent sticking. Transfer to a pizza peel or an inverted baking sheet.
   • Spread a thin layer of sauce over the dough, sprinkle with mozzarella, and arrange toppings.
4. Bake:
   • Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.

Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza Recipe

Ingredients:

• Dough:
  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
  • 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter (plus 2 tablespoons for greasing the pan)
• Sauce:
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
• Toppings:
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 pound cooked Italian sausage, crumbled
  • Sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or other toppings as desired

Preparation:

1. Make the Dough:
   • Combine flour, cornmeal, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Add water and melted butter, mix until a dough forms. Knead until smooth, about 6-7 minutes.
   • Let the dough rise in a greased bowl, covered, until doubled, about 1 hour.
2. Prepare the Sauce:
   • Simmer crushed tomatoes, sugar, basil, salt, and pepper in a saucepan over medium heat until thickened, about 15-20 minutes.
3. Assemble the Pizza:
   • Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease a deep-dish pizza pan or a cast-iron skillet with butter.
   • Press the dough into the pan, covering the bottom and sides. Layer with cheese, then sausage and other toppings. Top with tomato sauce.
4. Bake:
   • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.

Yield and Servings

• New York-Style Pizza: Serves 3-4
• Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza: Serves 4-5

Nutritional Information

• Due to the varying ingredients and personal choice of toppings, nutritional values can differ significantly. However, generally, the Chicago Deep-Dish will be higher in calories due to the larger amounts of cheese and deeper crust.

These recipes offer a step-by-step guide to creating each style of pizza at home, allowing you to experience the distinct culinary delights of New York and Chicago. Enjoy your cooking, and may the best pizza win your taste test!