The Origin Of Pan Pizza

Pan pizza is an American original, with its roots in Chicago. In 1943, Ike Sewell developed deep-dish pizza and opened a new type of restaurant at the corner of Ohio and Wabash. However, there are differing opinions on who invented the Chicago-style deep dish. The pizza features a thick crust and extra generous layers of cheese and toppings. The concept of pan pizza was popularized by Dan and Frank Carney, who founded Pizza Hut in 1958. They introduced a thicker crust by baking pizza in deeper pans, which caused a sensation: 40% of people preferred a thicker, crispier crust.

Chicago-style pizza

The toppings on a Chicago-style pizza are placed in reverse order, with cheese going on the crust first, followed by meat, vegetables, or other desired toppings. The tomato sauce is then added, and the pizza is often sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese. This style of pizza is so filling that it is usually eaten with a knife and fork.

The origin of Chicago-style pizza is disputed, with Ike Sewell of UNOs and amateur historian Peter Regas claiming credit. However, it is undisputed that Chicago-style pizza is now a crowd favourite and has become popular worldwide.

Making Chicago-style pizza dough involves a process called laminating, where butter is layered into the dough, resulting in a flaky texture. This technique is similar to that used for croissants and gives the pizza its distinctive crunchy and crispy edges.

The tomato sauce for Chicago-style pizza is slightly sweet, thick, and garlic-infused. It is cooked on the stovetop, and red pepper flakes are often added for a spicy kick. The sauce is then poured over the cheese and toppings, resulting in a delicious and indulgent treat.

Sicilian-style pizza

The process of making Sicilian-style pizza involves parbaking the dough, which allows the focaccia-like crust to stabilise and prevents the toppings from overcooking. The dough is prepared with a high hydration, focaccia-like consistency and is baked in a sheet pan or a rimmed tray, resulting in a chewy thickness. The toppings are then added, and the pizza is cut into large square slices before serving.

The original Sicilian pizza, sfincione, is traditionally served on New Year's Eve and is topped with onions, breadcrumbs, and caciocavallo cheese. However, the toppings can vary, and modern interpretations may include combinations of vegetables, meats, and different types of cheese.

The key to achieving a successful Sicilian-style pizza lies in the parbaking process, which allows the dough to stabilise and ensures that the toppings do not overcook. Additionally, investing in a good-quality pan, such as a dark steel or cast iron pan, can enhance the browning and crisping of the crust.

Overall, Sicilian-style pizza is a delicious and hearty dish that has evolved from its Sicilian roots to become a popular pan pizza style enjoyed by many.

Detroit-style pizza

The classic Detroit pizza pan is a deep, 10- by 14-inch rectangle of metal with black surfaces and sides that flare gently away from the bottom. While the original pans were made from blue steel, most modern pans are made from anodized aluminum and come with a non-stick coating. The black surfaces help conduct heat better, resulting in a crispier crust.

The Detroit-style pizza was originally popular in the Detroit area but began to spread to other parts of the United States in the 2010s. It is now considered one of Detroit's iconic local foods, along with the Coney Island hot dog and the Boston cooler.

Pizza Hut's Original Pan Pizza

The Original Pan Pizza is a premium offering from Pizza Hut, with a blend of sauce and cheese designed to complement the crust's softness. The sauce is a standard sweet tomato marinara, and the cheese is low-moisture 100% mozzarella shred, providing the perfect melt. The pizza is then topped with a generous amount of pepperoni, adding a spicy kick.

In 2019, Pizza Hut embarked on a three-year innovation journey to enhance their Original Pan Pizza. This process involved re-engineering the pan to optimise the crust texture and adjusting the sauce-to-cheese ratio. The new pan delivers a crispier, golden-brown crust, while the updated sauce and cheese blend enhance the flavour and maintain the desired chewy centre.

The Original Pan Pizza holds a special place in the hearts of many, evoking memories of family dinners, birthday parties, and celebrations. It has become a cultural icon, with its recognisable red roof and pan pizza offering a comforting and familiar dining experience. The pizza's popularity has led to it being often imitated but never duplicated, with Pizza Hut holding true to their original recipe and commitment to taste.

The updated Original Pan Pizza is available at Pizza Hut locations nationwide, offering customers the opportunity to indulge in a large two-topping pizza at a competitive price. Pizza Hut's dedication to innovation, while staying true to their roots, ensures that the Original Pan Pizza remains a beloved classic, satisfying pizza cravings for generations to come.

Pizzeria Uno

The unique selling point of Pizzeria Uno was its deep-dish pizza, which combined old Italian recipes with high-quality meats, spices, vegetables, and cheeses. The dough for the deep-dish pizza was made fresh every morning and continues to be made fresh daily in every UNO kitchen across the world.

Due to the popularity of its pizza, Pizzeria Uno opened a second location, Pizzeria Due, across the street from the original location. Both restaurants still operate today and have inspired the creation of Uno Pizzeria & Grills across the United States and internationally.

The Chicago-style deep-dish pizza has a scone-like crust, often including butter or corn oil in the dough. The toppings are placed in reverse order, with cheese going on the crust first, followed by meat and vegetables, and then finished with tomato sauce and grated parmesan, if desired. This style of pizza is known for its generous portions of cheese and toppings, making it a filling and indulgent option.

In addition to Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, there are also other variations of pan pizza, such as Sicilian-style and Detroit-style, which have their own unique characteristics and ingredients. However, the concept of pan pizza as a whole was popularized in the United States, particularly in cities like Chicago.

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