For us, this Deep Dish Meat Lovers Pizza Pie has become one of those recipes that instantly make a house feel like home. My cousin insisted that I try this recipe since it reminded her of the deep-dish pizzas we used to eat for birthdays, so last weekend I finally attempted it with my family. She wasn’t lying.
The kitchen smelt amazing as soon as it was taken out of the oven. The melted mozzarella stretched with each piece, the luscious tomato sauce bubbled around the edges, and the buttery crust was delightfully toasted. Everyone had gathered around the counter asking, “Can we eat?” before I could even reach for my camera to take a few more pictures…
Anti-Inflammatory Deep Dish Meat Lovers Pizza Pie
Description
If you love comfort food but want to make healthier choices, this Anti-Inflammatory Deep Dish Meat Lovers Pizza Pie delivers all the cheesy, savory goodness of a classic deep-dish pizza while incorporating nutrient-rich ingredients known for their anti-inflammatory benefits. Made with a wholesome whole-wheat crust, lean grass-fed beef, turkey sausage, antioxidant-rich tomato sauce, fresh herbs, extra virgin olive oil, and creamy mozzarella, this pizza is packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, game nights, or special occasions, this homemade deep-dish pizza offers restaurant-quality flavor with better nutrition.
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 8 slices
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2½ cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup bread flour
- 2¼ tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1¼ cups warm water
Anti-Inflammatory Meat Filling
- 1 lb lean grass-fed ground beef
- ½ lb lean turkey Italian sausage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp thyme
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary
Cheese Layer
- 3 cups low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup provolone cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
Tomato Sauce
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp basil
- ½ tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil
- Fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Mix warm water, honey, and yeast.
- Let sit for 5–10 minutes.
- Add flour, salt, and olive oil.
- Knead for 8–10 minutes.
- Cover and allow to rise for 1 hour.
Step 2: Make the Filling
Heat olive oil over medium heat.
Cook:
- Onion
- Garlic
Add:
- Beef
- Turkey sausage
Season with:
- Turmeric
- Smoked paprika
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Black pepper
Cook until browned.
Drain excess fat.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
In a saucepan combine:
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Tomato paste
- Crushed tomatoes
- Oregano
- Basil
- Turmeric
Simmer for 20 minutes.
Step 4: Assemble
Grease a deep 9-inch springform pan.
Press dough into the bottom and up the sides.
Layer in this order:
- Mozzarella
- Meat mixture
- Provolone
- More mozzarella
- Tomato sauce
- Parmesan
Step 5: Bake
Bake at 425°F (220°C)
- 35–40 minutes
If browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
Allow to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
Why This Recipe Is Anti-Inflammatory
This version includes ingredients associated with an anti-inflammatory eating pattern:
- Grass-fed beef (higher omega-3 content than conventional beef)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Garlic
- Onion
- Turmeric
- Fresh herbs
- Tomato lycopene
- Whole wheat crust
- Reduced processed meat
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- Mixed greens salad with olive oil vinaigrette
- Roasted broccoli
- Garlic asparagus
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Cucumber tomato salad
- Lemon sparkling water
- Homemade iced green tea
Variations
Mediterranean Version
Use:
- Spinach
- Feta
- Kalamata olives
- Artichokes
Low-Carb Version
Replace crust with:
- Cauliflower crust
- Almond flour crust
Gluten-Free
Use your favorite gluten-free pizza dough.
Dairy-Free
Substitute:
- Cashew mozzarella
- Dairy-free Parmesan
Extra Protein
Add:
- Chicken breast
- Mushrooms
- Lentils
Keto-Friendly
Use:
- Fathead dough
- Full-fat cheese
- Skip tomato paste with added sugar
Storage
Refrigerator:
- Up to 4 days
Freezer:
- Up to 3 months
Reheat:
- Oven at 350°F for 15 minutes
Nutrition (Per Slice)
Approximate values:
- Calories: 465
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Cholesterol: 72mg
- Sodium: 640mg
- Potassium: 520mg
- Calcium: 280mg
- Iron: 3mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the pizza up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate it, and bake when ready.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Wrap cooled slices individually and freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely. Ground turkey makes the pizza leaner while still providing plenty of protein.
What cheese melts best?
Low-moisture whole milk mozzarella creates the classic stretchy cheese texture.
Why put the sauce on top?
Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas traditionally place the sauce above the cheese to help prevent the cheese from overcooking.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes. Bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, and roasted eggplant are excellent additions.
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Final Thoughts
This Anti-Inflammatory Deep Dish Meat Lovers Pizza Pie balances the indulgence of a classic deep-dish pizza with ingredients that support a more nutrient-dense eating pattern. Using whole-grain flour, lean proteins, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, herbs, and tomatoes increases fiber and beneficial nutrients while preserving the rich flavor and satisfying texture that make deep-dish pizza a favorite. Pair it with a colorful salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal, and enjoy leftovers as they reheat well for lunches or busy weeknight dinners.
