Chicago Style Tater Tots Pizza

This is a scrumptious Chicago style deep dish pizza with layers of good flavors making it the best dinner. Tater tots, cheese, sauce on crust in a deep dish pan is just out of the world! This is easy to make and brings smiles to the faces! 

What is a Chicago deep dish pizza?

Well, this is a pizza that is unique! The crust is an inch deep that gives plenty of room for extra toppings and sauces. Plus the sauce is on top. This makes it easily recognizable and it would make you wonder whether it is a pizza or a pie. 

Why tater tots?

Potatoes are always close to heart for everyone. I guess, the proportion of people who do not love pizza or potatoes would be very less. Potatoes and cheese along with a sauce on a crust is the most amazing meal, though it is a bit carb loaded. There is always a possibility to add proteins of your choice in this pizza. Tater tots are great for a snack as well as for breakfast/dinner casseroles. Though I buy a bag of frozen tater tots now and then, they are easy to make at home and here is a baked version of the same. They are great in pizza too. Try it and you’ll love this option. They cook at about the same time as this deep dish pizza making it a perfect choice. It is best to layer them on top for the crispy bite of tater tots along with the cheesy sauce bite of the pizza.

What sauce is great with this pizza?

This is a deep dish pizza. The sauce is added as the top layer in this style pizza. Like in any pizza, it is better to use store-bought or homemade pizza sauce. The sauce has to be thick, else it would become messy. Make sure to use thick pizza sauce and not pasta sauce.

How to make the crust?

This deep dish crust is easy to make. Instead of shaping on a pizza pan, shape the dough on a cast iron pan or a springform cake pan. I like the springform cake pan, as it is easy to release the sides of the pan and remove the pizza. While shaping, gently push around the edges of the pan at the bottom making its way on the sides of the springform pan to at least half the height or to about one and a half  to two inches. This gives the characteristic deep dish making room for lots of filling and cheese.

Can store bought pizza dough be used?

Absolutely! Pizza dough for a 12 to 14-inch pizza would work best for the deep dish pizza. The crust can be made at home too. 

How long does it take to bake the pizza?

Bake the pizza at 425 degrees F for about 15 minutes covered, and then for another 12-15 minutes uncovered. This way, the crust, toppings, and the tater tots would be perfectly cooked to the right texture and consistency, and the cheese would be oooey and gooey.

What veggies can be added?

I have used onion and colored bell peppers in this pizza. If preferred, sliced zucchini can also be added. Olives or paneer can also be added. I have used a little ranch at the bottom and that is totally optional. Since I love ranch with veggies and tater tots, I added a tiny bit on the base of the pizza. Ranch or sauce can also be served on the sides for extra personal drizzle or for dipping. 

Who doesn’t love pizza! That’s the most undisputed meal in every home. Because of its versatility, there is always a possibility for a unique version with all possible flavor combinations that one may like. Here are some of that category from the blog that you would love to try.

Samosa Chaat Pizza

Dessert Apple Pizza

Hatch Chili and Ricotta Sauce Pineapple Pizza

Double Cheese Stuffed Crust Taco Pizza

Peacock Shaped Pizza Rolls

Potato Pizza

Did you know that February 9th is National Pizza Day and this is National Potato lover month. What else could be more apt  than this pizza combining both. This is my share for the event hosted by Christie for National Pizza Month in #ourfamilytable group. We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you're at it, join our Pinterest board, too!

Ingredients

Serves 4 to 6

All purpose flour - 1and 1/4 to 1and 3/4 cup

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Sugar - 1 tsp

Olive oil - 1.5 tbsp

Active dry yeast - 1.5 tsp

Water - 1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp

or 12-14-in pizza dough 

Pizza sauce - 1.5 cups

Mozzarella cheese - 2 cups, shredded

Onions - 1 cup, sliced

Colored bell peppers - 1 cup, sliced

Ranch - 2 tbsp

Tater Tots - 1/2 of 28-oz or 87 tots

Dried parsley - 1 tsp

Dried chili flakes - 1 tsp

Vegan parmesan - 1 tbsp

Method

If using store bough pizza dough, proceed to the next step. Else, activate the yeast, then add it to the flour-salt mixture. Knead to a smooth dough and prove for an hour until doubled in size. Transfer to a floured surface, punch and knead to a smooth ball.

Gently roll into a 14-in circle and carefully place it into a 10-in springform pan. Gently push the dough along the base edges on the pan and along the sides of the pan such that it is halfway up on the sides.

Spread two tablespoons of ranch. Arrange the onions and colored bell peppers as the bottom layers.

Add the cheese followed by pizza sauce.

Arrange the tater tots on top of the sauce in a circular style.

Bake for about 15 minutes covered, followed by 12-15 minutes uncovered, until the mixture bubbles and the tater tots on top are crispy and done.

Remove from the oven. Remove the sides of the springform pan carefully. Transfer the pizza to a platter. Sprinkle parsley, chili flakes, and vegan parmesan on top. Slice and serve hot.

Perfect Pizza Pie!

• Chicago Deep Dish Pizza from Palatable Pastime
• Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Flatbread Pizza from Blogghetti
• Mellow Mushroom Pizza from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Sourdough Discard Flatbread from Jen Around the World
• Steak and Caramelized Onion Pizza from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Stuffed Pizza Burger from Art of Natural Living
• Triple Meat Calzones from That Recipe