Chicago Style Deep Dish Mini Pizzas

Chicago Style Deep Dish Mini Pizzas

🧀 Marinara Mozzarella Muffin Bread: The Cutest Little Pizza Bombs You’ll Ever Bake

Warning: These muffin-sized bites of cheesy, saucy heaven may cause squeals of joy, spontaneous kitchen dance parties, and a sudden obsession with muffin tins.

 

 

Hey hey, kitchen queens (and kings)! 👑 If you’ve ever dreamed of turning pizza night into something even more magical, then hold onto your aprons—because today we’re making Marinara Mozzarella Muffin Bread! These adorable little bread bombs are soft, golden, and bursting with gooey cheese and tangy marinara in every bite. Basically, they’re like pizza rolls that went to culinary school and came out with muffin-shaped diplomas.

Perfect for after-school snacks, game day munchies, or just a “because carbs are life” kind of moment, this recipe is easy, fun, and totally customizable. And yes, your kids will absolutely want to help (and eat them by the dozen).

Jess and I went to Chicago 15 years ago and you can not find a match for Lou Manalti’s deep dish pizza. I’ve been trying to find a great pizza place since. These are delicious and worth all the calories.

Sawyer asked for pizza yesterday for dinner and he didn’t eat this but Greyson loved it! Matt and I also loved it so much! I used my focaccia recipe and then made it into pizza dough.

Let’s get baking!

 

 

Chicago Style Deep Dish Mini Pizzas

ingredients

• 256 g  or 2 cups bread flour
• 5 g  or 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 g or 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 230 g  or 1 cup lukewarm water
• butter for greasing
• 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• flaky sea salt
• favorite marinara
• part skim mozzarella
• optional parmesan for topping

Directions:

1. Mix the Dough In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and yeast. Add lukewarm water and mix with a rubber spatula until a sticky dough forms. Rub the surface with olive oil and cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Let rise for 1–2 hours until doubled.
2. Prep the Muffin Tin Grease 18 muffin cups with butter (yes, butter—trust me). Pour ½ teaspoon olive oil into the center of each cup.
3. Deflate the Dough Using oiled hands, gently deflate the dough by pulling it toward the center while rotating the bowl. Form a rough ball.
4. Shape the Dough Balls Divide the dough into 1-tablespoon portions and roll each ball in the oil inside the muffin cups to coat.
5. Rest & Stuff Let the dough rest for 30 minutes. Then press a tablespoon of mozzarella into the center of each ball and top with 1–2 teaspoons of marinara.
6. Bake Bake at 425°F for 30–40 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown and the tops are bubbling with cheesy goodness.
7. Top It Off Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and optional Parmesan. Serve warm and prepare for applause.

🔥 Calorie Count & Nutritional Facts (Per Muffin Bread)

Note: These are estimates and can vary depending on your marinara and cheese choices.

 

 

 

Chicago Style Deep Dish Mini Pizzas

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips for Muffin Tin Mastery

• Sticky Dough? No Problem! This dough is meant to be sticky—don’t panic. Just oil your hands and embrace the gooey magic.
• Cheese Choices Part-skim mozzarella works great, but feel free to mix in provolone, cheddar, or even a little cream cheese for a surprise center.
• Marinara Matters Use a thick marinara to avoid soggy bottoms. Homemade or store-bought—just make sure it’s flavorful!
• Golden Crust Goals Don’t pull them out too early! That deep golden brown crust = flavor, texture, and perfection.

🧁 Recipe Variations to Keep It Fresh

• Pepperoni Pop Add a slice of pepperoni or mini meatball inside with the cheese for a pizza-meets-meatball sub vibe.
• Veggie Delight Toss in chopped spinach, mushrooms, or roasted red peppers for a veggie-packed version.
• Spicy Kick Mix a pinch of red pepper flakes into the marinara or drizzle with hot honey after baking.
• Breakfast Bombs Swap marinara for scrambled eggs and cheese for a savory breakfast muffin!

👶 Kid Tip: Let Them Be the Muffin Bosses

Kids LOVE shaping dough. Give them their own little bowl of dough and let them roll, squish, and stuff their own muffin cups. You might end up with some wild creations (hello, cheese volcano), but they’ll be proud and more likely to eat what they made. Bonus: it’s a great sensory activity!

🛒 Grocery Hacks: Save Time & Stretch That Budget

• Bulk Cheese Buy mozzarella in bulk and freeze in portions. It’s cheaper and always ready for pizza emergencies.
• DIY Marinara Make a big batch of marinara and freeze in ice cube trays. Perfect for quick recipes like this!
• Flour Swap Bread flour gives that chewy texture, but all-purpose works in a pinch. Just reduce water slightly.
• Muffin Tin Magic Invest in a good nonstick muffin tin. It’ll make your life easier for everything from cupcakes to savory bites like these.

💬 Final Thoughts: Muffin Bread = Mini Joy Bombs

There’s something so satisfying about pulling a golden, cheesy muffin bread from the oven and watching the cheese stretch as you bite in. It’s cozy, comforting, and just plain fun. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself to a carb-filled hug, this recipe delivers every time.

And let’s be real—anything that combines bread, cheese, and marinara is basically a guaranteed win.

 

Muffin Tin Magic You’ll Want to Repeat

So next time you’re staring at your muffin tin wondering what else it can do besides cupcakes, remember this recipe. These Marinara Mozzarella Muffin Breads are easy, delicious, and totally customizable. They’re perfect for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, or any day that needs a little extra cheesy joy.

Try them once, and they’ll be on repeat in your kitchen forever. 💫

If you make these, tag us and share your muffin tin masterpieces! We love seeing your creations and hearing how you made them your own.

Until next time—keep it cheesy, keep it saucy, and keep it fun!

XOXO,

Did you try our Chicago Style Deep Dish Mini Pizzas? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram!

 

 

PIZZA LOVER

 

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Getting a little creative here, Breakfast Pizza, you heard me. It’s a great way to wake up in the morning.