Imagine biting into a slice of authentic Chicago deep dish pizza, the thick crust cradling layers of rich sauce, gooey mozzarella, and your favorite toppings. Doesn’t that sound amazing? But what if you live hundreds, maybe thousands, of miles away from the Windy City? That’s where the dream meets the challenge: finding a shipped deep dish that tastes just as good as the original.
Ordering deep dish pizza to be shipped can feel like a gamble. You worry about soggy crusts, melted cheese that turns into a solid brick during transit, or simply getting a pizza that doesn’t live up to the Chicago hype. It’s frustrating when you pay good money for a taste of Chicago only to be disappointed at your doorstep. You deserve that perfect, cheesy experience, no matter where you live.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We explore the best companies that master the art of shipping this magnificent pizza. You will learn what makes a great shipped deep dish, how to spot the best deals, and what to look for in packaging and delivery. Get ready to find the perfect pie that brings a slice of Chicago flavor right to your kitchen!
Top Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Shipped Recommendations
- Hand made Chicago deep dish pepperoni and sausage pizza crafted from scratch by Lou Malnati’s since 1971.
- Flaky buttery crust, Wisconsin mozzarella, and hand-picked vine-ripened tomatoes.
- Oven-ready and served hot in about 40 minutes with restaurant-quality taste.
- Packaged in a signature Lou Malnati’s box, ideal for gifting and celebrations.
- 🍕Five 9" Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizzas
- 🍕10 LBS of Pizza!
- 🍕Ships Frozen On Dry Ice and Ready to Bake
- 🍕Post your Cheese Pull! @ginoseast from home
- 🍕Our trademark golden crust topped with chunky tomato sauce, oozing with real aged mozzarella, and loaded with Canadian bacon, bacon, pepperoni, and sausage.
- Hand made Chicago deep dish sausage pizza crafted from scratch by Lou Malnati’s since 1971.
- Flaky buttery crust, Wisconsin mozzarella, and hand-picked vine-ripened tomatoes.
- Oven-ready and served hot in about 40 minutes with restaurant-quality taste.
- Packaged in a signature Lou Malnati’s box, ideal for gifting and celebrations.
- Hand made Chicago deep dish sausage pizza crafted from scratch by Lou Malnati’s since 1971.
- Flaky buttery crust, Wisconsin mozzarella, and hand-picked vine-ripened tomatoes.
- Oven-ready and served hot in about 40 minutes with restaurant-quality taste.
- Packaged in a signature Lou Malnati’s box, ideal for gifting and celebrations.
- Hand made Chicago deep dish pepperoni and sausage pizza crafted from scratch by Lou Malnati’s since 1971.
- Flaky buttery crust, Wisconsin mozzarella, and hand-picked vine-ripened tomatoes.
- Oven-ready and served hot in about 40 minutes with restaurant-quality taste.
- Packaged in a signature Lou Malnati’s box, ideal for gifting and celebrations.
- Hand made Chicago deep dish cheese pizza crafted from scratch by Lou Malnati’s since 1971.
- Flaky buttery crust, Wisconsin mozzarella, and hand-picked vine-ripened tomatoes.
- Oven-ready and served hot in about 40 minutes with restaurant-quality taste.
- Packaged in a signature Lou Malnati’s box, ideal for gifting and celebrations.
- Hand made Chicago deep dish cheese and pepperoni pizza crafted from scratch by Lou Malnati’s since 1971.
- Flaky buttery crust, Wisconsin mozzarella, and hand-picked vine-ripened tomatoes.
- Oven-ready and served hot in about 40 minutes with restaurant-quality taste.
- Packaged in a signature Lou Malnati’s box, ideal for gifting and celebrations.
The Essential Guide to Buying Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Shipped
Craving that thick, cheesy, buttery Chicago deep dish but live miles away? Shipped pizza is your answer! This guide helps you pick the best frozen deep dish so your delivery tastes almost as good as eating it fresh in the Windy City.
Key Features to Look For
When ordering, look closely at what makes the pizza special. These features define a great shipped deep dish experience.
1. Crust Quality and Thickness
- Thickness: True deep dish is baked in a high-sided pan. You want a crust that is at least 1 to 2 inches thick. Thin crusts are just deep-dish imposters!
- Texture: The best crusts are buttery and slightly crispy on the outside, but soft and doughy inside. Some famous pizzerias use cornmeal in their dough for an extra crunch.
2. Sauce and Cheese Layers
- Sauce Placement: In authentic deep dish, the sauce goes *on top* of the cheese. This stops the cheese from burning during the long bake time.
- Cheese Amount: Deep dish needs a mountain of cheese, usually mozzarella. Look for places that use at least one pound of cheese for a standard pizza.
3. Size and Serving Portions
Shipped pizzas are often frozen solid. Check the diameter and weight. A standard 10-inch pizza might feed four people generously, or six lightly.
Important Materials and Ingredients
What goes into the pizza matters, especially since you are baking it yourself later.
Dough Ingredients
Good dough uses high-quality flour. Some premium brands use imported Italian “00” flour for a better chew. Look for natural yeast and real butter or olive oil, not cheap vegetable shortening.
Toppings and Sauce
- Tomatoes: The sauce should use high-quality crushed or pureed tomatoes. A slightly chunky sauce often tastes fresher.
- Sausage: If you order sausage, look for crumbled Italian sausage layered directly on the dough, under the cheese. Bulk sausage tastes better than pre-sliced patties.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The journey and the packaging heavily influence how your pizza tastes when it arrives.
Quality Boosters
- Flash Freezing: Pizzas frozen quickly right after assembly hold their shape and flavor best.
- Insulated Shipping: Good companies use dry ice or thick, insulated boxes to keep the pizza frozen solid until it reaches your door. This prevents sogginess.
Quality Reducers
- Thawing During Transit: If the box arrives warm or the dry ice is gone, the pizza may start to thaw. This ruins the crust texture.
- Pre-Baked Crusts: Some budget options sell pizzas that are partially baked. These usually result in a less satisfying, sometimes soggy final product when you finish baking them at home.
User Experience and Use Cases
Consider when and how you plan to eat this hefty meal.
Baking Experience
Deep dish takes a long time to bake—often 40 to 55 minutes. Make sure you have enough time. You will need a sturdy baking sheet or, ideally, a dedicated deep-dish pizza pan to mimic the restaurant experience.
Best Use Cases
- Game Day Feasts: This pizza is perfect for feeding a crowd during a big sports event.
- Special Occasions: It feels more special than regular frozen pizza. It’s great for birthdays or when you want a weekend treat.
- Comfort Food Emergency: When you need serious, satisfying comfort food delivered right to your freezer.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Shipped Deep Dish Pizza
Q: How long does the pizza stay good in the freezer?
A: Most shipped deep dish pizzas last 3 to 6 months in a standard home freezer if kept frozen solid.
Q: Do I need to thaw the pizza before baking it?
A: No! You should almost always bake deep dish directly from frozen. Thawing often makes the crust soggy.
Q: Why is shipped deep dish so expensive?
A: The cost includes the heavy ingredients (lots of cheese and thick dough) plus the high expense of specialized, insulated shipping with dry ice.
Q: What is the standard baking time?
A: Expect to bake most deep dish pizzas between 35 and 50 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Always follow the specific instructions provided by the seller.
Q: Can I use a pizza stone to cook my deep dish?
A: It is better to use a metal baking pan or the pan the pizza came in. Deep dish needs the high sides of a pan to hold its shape while baking.
Q: Is the sauce always on top of the cheese?
A: Yes, for authentic Chicago style, the cheese goes directly on the crust, and the tomato sauce covers the top layer.
Q: How do I know if the shipping company used enough dry ice?
A: When the package arrives, it should still feel very cold, and you might see a little vapor or frost on the box’s interior lining.
Q: Can I add extra toppings to my shipped pizza?
A: You can add toppings, but only add them right before you bake the pizza. If you add them before refreezing, they might leak moisture and ruin the texture.
Q: What is the difference between deep dish and stuffed pizza?
A: Deep dish is thick with cheese and sauce layers. Stuffed pizza is even thicker, featuring a very thin layer of dough placed over the cheese and under the sauce.
Q: How do I cut a deep dish pizza after it comes out of the oven?
A: Let the pizza rest for 10 to 15 minutes after baking. This allows the cheese and sauce to set up slightly, making it much easier to cut clean slices.