There’s nothing quite like biting into a hot, cheesy slice of Jet’s Pizza. Their signature deep-dish style with a perfect blend of savory toppings has always been a favorite of mine. But what if you could enjoy that same deliciousness right in your own kitchen?
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Sauce
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms
- ½ cup sliced green bell peppers
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: red pepper flakes, fresh basil leaves
Additional
- Cornmeal for dusting
- Olive oil for brushing
Tools Needed
To master Jet’s Pizza at home, you’ll need the following tools:
- Mixing Bowls: Perfect for combining dough ingredients and mixing toppings.
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for kneading the dough smoothly.
- Rolling Pin: Helps roll out the pizza dough to your preferred thickness.
- Pizza Stone or Baking Sheet: Ensures a crispy, evenly baked crust.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For precise measurement of ingredients.
- Pizza Cutter or Sharp Knife: Ideal for slicing your pizza into perfect pieces.
- Pastry Brush: Great for brushing olive oil on the crust for extra flavor.
- Cornmeal: Prevents sticking and adds a slight crunch to the base.
- Thermometer: Ensures your oven reaches the optimal temperature for baking.
Having these tools on hand will make the process smooth and help you achieve that authentic Jet’s Pizza experience at home.
Directions
Recreating Jet’s Pizza at home is easier than you might think. Follow these steps to craft a delicious deep-dish masterpiece.
Prepare Dough
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast with 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F). Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the yeast mixture and 2 tablespoons olive oil into the dry ingredients. Stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let It Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
Prepare Sauce
- Sauté Aromatics: In a saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour in 2 cans (15 oz each) crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine.
- Season the Sauce: Add 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and salt to taste. Mix well.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop rich flavors.
Assemble Pizza
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.
- Prepare the Dough: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal parts. Roll out each portion on a floured surface to fit your pizza stone or baking sheet.
- Add Cornmeal: Sprinkle a thin layer of cornmeal on the pizza stone or baking sheet to prevent sticking.
- Brush with Olive Oil: Transfer the rolled dough onto the prepared surface. Brush the edges with olive oil to create a golden crust.
- Layer Cheese: Spread 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough.
- Add Sauce: Spoon a generous layer of prepared tomato sauce over the cheese.
- Customize Toppings: Add your favorite toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers, distributing them evenly.
- Final Cheese Layer: Top with an additional 1 cup of mozzarella cheese for extra gooeyness.
Bake Pizza
- Bake Until Golden: Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Check for Doneness: Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to verify that the bottom crust is crispy and the cheese has reached the perfect melt.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. This helps the cheese set and makes slicing easier.
- Slice and Serve: Cut the pizza into slices, serve warm, and enjoy your homemade Jet’s Pizza copycat creation!
Make-Ahead Instructions
Preparing parts of your Jet’s Pizza copycat recipe ahead of time can save you valuable minutes when you’re ready to bake. Here’s how I streamline the process:
Dough Preparation
- Mix and Knead the Dough:
- Activate the yeast in warm water.
- Combine with flour, salt, and olive oil.
- Knead until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise:
- Place the dough in a greased bowl.
- Cover with a damp cloth.
- Let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Storage Options:
- Refrigerate: Punch down the dough, place it in an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Divide the dough, wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, and place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Sauce Preparation
- Prepare the Sauce:
- Sauté minced garlic in olive oil.
- Add crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
- Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes until thickened.
- Cooling and Storing:
- Let the sauce cool to room temperature.
- Transfer to airtight containers.
- Storage Options:
- Refrigerate: Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Freeze: Use freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months.
Toppings Preparation
- Chop and Prepare Vegetables:
- Slice onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and any other desired vegetables.
- Grate mozzarella cheese if not using pre-shredded.
- Pre-Cook Meat Toppings:
- Cook pepperoni, sausage, or other meats to your preference.
- Drain excess fat and let cool.
- Storage:
- Vegetables: Place chopped vegetables in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Cheese and Meats: Keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Make-Ahead Storage Overview
Component | Refrigerate | Freeze |
---|---|---|
Dough | Up to 3 days in an airtight container | Up to 3 months wrapped tightly |
Sauce | Up to 1 week in an airtight container | Up to 3 months in freezer-safe bags |
Vegetables | Up to 5 days in airtight containers | N/A |
Cheese & Meats | Up to 1 week in airtight containers | Up to 3 months in freezer bags |
By following these make-ahead steps, you’ll have all the components ready to assemble a delicious Jet’s Pizza copycat whenever the craving strikes. This approach not only saves time but also ensures each element retains its fresh, vibrant flavor.
Conclusion
I’m excited for you to try this Jet’s Pizza copycat recipe at home It’s amazing how satisfying it is to create your favorite pizza from scratch With just a few ingredients and some time you can enjoy a delicious deep-dish pizza anytime
Feel free to experiment with your favorite toppings and make it your own I hope this recipe brings a taste of Jet’s Pizza into your kitchen and makes your pizza nights even more special Happy cooking!