Decadent Chicago-Style Pizza from a Loaf
Decadent Chicago-Style Pizza from a Loaf
Easy Chicago Pizza Recipe using a Bread Loaf: Air Fryer & Oven Friendly
Experience the magic of Chicago-style pizza at home! This recipe uses a whole loaf of bread, creating a delightful crust that cradles a cascade of gooey, melted cheese. It’s a fantastic brunch option that’s both visually impressive and incredibly delicious. Let’s embrace the ‘delicious is zero calories’ philosophy!
Ingredients- 1 whole loaf of bread
- Generous amount of tomato sauce
- Plenty of mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 bell pepper
- 1/4 onion
- 1/4 small pumpkin (kabocha squash)
- 3 Tbsp corn kernels
- 1 sausage
- A pinch of dried parsley
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables for the pizza filling. Feel free to use any vegetables you have on hand. If you’re not a fan of vegetables, you can skip them. Finely dice the onion, kabocha squash, and bell pepper into small pieces, about 2mm. Dicing them small ensures they blend well with the other filling ingredients and provides a pleasant texture.
Step 2
You can either dice the sausage or, as shown here, slice it thinly into rounds, about 2-3mm thick. Thinly sliced sausage will become tender when cooked and add a lovely chewiness.
Step 3
Drain the corn kernels thoroughly using a sieve. Excess moisture can make the pizza filling too watery.
Step 4
In a bowl, combine the prepared vegetables (onion, kabocha squash, bell pepper), corn kernels, and sausage. Mix everything well to create your pizza filling. There’s no need to add extra seasoning; the tomato sauce and cheese will provide enough flavor.
Step 5
Carefully hollow out the inside of the bread loaf, leaving about a 1 cm border on the top and ensuring you don’t cut through the sides or bottom. This will create a well to hold your delicious filling. Be gentle to prevent the bread from tearing.
Step 6
Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce inside the hollowed-out bread. Be careful not to apply too much, as it can make the bread soggy and prone to tearing. A light coating is key.
Step 7
Add a thin layer of mozzarella cheese over the tomato sauce. This acts as a binder between the sauce and the filling, and contributes to a richer cheesy experience when melted.
Step 8
Now, generously fill the bread cavity with your prepared pizza filling, leaving about 1 cm of space at the top. A generous amount of filling makes for a more satisfying pizza.
Step 9
Pack the remaining space at the top generously with mozzarella cheese, pressing it down firmly. This helps the cheese stay in place and creates a beautiful, molten topping when baked.
Step 10
Finally, spoon more tomato sauce over the cheese, covering it as much as possible without it running over the sides. This adds another layer of flavor and ensures a saucy pizza.
Step 11
Sprinkle dried parsley over the top for a touch of color and aroma. Parsley not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds a fresh, herbaceous note.
Step 12
Place the prepared pizza in an air fryer or oven and bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 10-15 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted. Cooking times may vary depending on your appliance.
Step 13
Enjoy the delightful contrast of the crispy bread and the wonderfully stretchy, gooey pizza cheese! This homemade Chicago-style pizza is a feast for the eyes and the palate. Make your mealtime special!
