As long as there has been pizza, there has been debate surrounding it. From arguing over which type of crust is best to whether pineapple belongs on pizza, it won’t take long for any discussion to turn heated. Since the 1970s, one particular debate has persevered — is deep-dish or stuffed pizza better?

This argument rages in Chicago more than anywhere else. As the birthplace for both of these iconic pizzas, it’s a debate that lies close to the heart for many Chicagoans. 

But outside of the Windy City, there’s often a lot of head-scratching about the difference between the two. They’re just thick pizzas with a generous amount of cheese and toppings, right?

While deep-dish pizza and stuffed pizza are similar, there are noticeable differences in their topping placements, textures and ingredient ratios.

The History of Deep-Dish and Stuffed Pizza

Before we start looking at the physical differences between the two, it’s important that we go right back to the beginning.

Deep-dish pizza has some murky origins. It’s widely accepted that it was created in Chicago in 1943, but exactly who concocted it is unclear. Ike Sewell, who owned a pizzeria at the time, claimed to be the mastermind behind the tasty creation. However, Ric Riccardo, businessman and competing pizzeria owner, also claims to have invented the pizza when he took over the location of Sewell’s restaurant. 

The true inventor of the pizza is unclear, as local legends, marketing campaigns and time have all muddied the waters. Regardless, deep-dish pizza is undoubtedly one of Chicago’s most famous culinary contributions. 

Stuffed pizza was invented several decades later and is actually a subcategory of deep-dish pizza. One of the main contributors to its creation, the Giordano family (yes, the very same!), took inspiration from the home of pizza — Italy. After introducing Mama Giordano’s famous double-crusted pizza to southern Chicago, brothers Efren and Joseph Boglio opened the very first Giordano’s pizzeria. Similar to the deep-dish pizza that Chicago was familiar with, there was one key difference that turned the stuffed pizza into something truly unique.

The Difference Between Deep-Dish Pizza and Stuffed Pizza

On the whole, deep-dish pizza and stuffed pizza closely resemble each other. But when you’re talking about the differences between the two, there’s only one place you can really start — the top crust. To understand why this is, you need to understand the basic construction of each pizza. 

What’s Inside Deep-Dish Pizza?

Deep-dish pizza is cooked in a high-walled pan, with dough covering the bottom of the pan and scaling the sides. Next, the toppings are added which, in Chicago, almost always include Italian sausage. Onions, green peppers, ground beef, pepperoni and mushrooms often feature, too.

After this, the cheese, usually mozzarella, is added, before the final deep-dish pizza layer of marinara sauce is added on top of the cheese to prevent it from burning during the longer cooking times. As a last touch, Parmesan or Romano cheese might be sprinkled on top. 

What’s Inside Stuffed Pizza?

Stuffed pizza — which is different from stuffed-crust pizza — is similar to deep-dish pizza in many ways. It’s cooked in a deep pan, the toppings are usually very similar and the marinara sauce goes on top of the cheese. However, the main difference is that the stuffed pizza has an additional layer of crust.

Placed on top of the cheese and fillings and directly under the marinara, this extra layer of dough adds a whole new dimension to the pizza. Thanks to the ingenious and unique stuffed pizza crust, this type of pizza is also typically:

• Taller: Stuffed pizzas tend to be taller, with that extra layer of crust allowing for even more fillings.
• Denser: Thanks to those additional fillings and dough, stuffed pizza is usually much denser, making it more filling than the deep-dish, too. 
• Cheesier: Stuffed pizza ingredients are similar to those of deep-dish. However, stuffed pizza is usually much heavier on the cheese and fillings by both ratio and volume. The deep-dish pizza crust and marinara sauce make up a larger percentage of the pizza compared to the stuffed pizza. 
• Thicker on the bottom: To accommodate all of that additional goodness, stuffed pizzas need a thicker base. 

All of this means that eating a stuffed pizza isn’t just slightly different from eating a deep-dish pizza. It’s a whole new decadent, exciting and delicious experience. What other food allows you to experience that feeling of pure satisfaction as you take a mouthful of oozingly cheesy, double-crusted, piping hot joy? Not that we’re biased! But truly, the stuffed pizza layers create a thing of culinary beauty. 

Which Is Better: Stuffed Pizza or Deep-Dish?

When trying to decide which is better out of any two foods, the answer is almost always the same — it comes down to personal preference. So, while we can’t answer that question for you, we can help you find the one that might best suit your tastes. 

If you (like us) love your pizza absolutely swimming in cheese, then the stuffed pizza should be right up your street. It might also be your preferred pizza style if you want to really fill your belly. If you can manage more than one slice of stuffed pizza, you’re officially classed as more machine than human. 

On the other hand, some say that the deep-dish pizza ingredients are more balanced. While having less of just about everything, the deep-dish has a much more even ratio of cheese and toppings to crust and marinara sauce. Additionally, the typical deep-dish pizza isn’t quite as filling as the stuffed pizza. So, consider this one if you want a slightly lighter (although still very filling!) meal. 

If you’re just an all-around fan of pizza, particularly those with a thick, buttery crust and plenty of everything, then you’re sure to like either style of pizza. But whatever you do, don’t imitate Jon Stewart’s infamous rant, which earned him the ire of just about every Chicagoan and millions of deep-dish pizza lovers.

Enjoy Chicago’s Finest Pizza Across the Country

As an original innovator of the stuffed pizza and often cited as one of the best deep-dish pizzerias in Chicago, Giordano’s has to be any pizza lover’s go-to restaurant. 

While our home is proudly in Chicago, we have locations across the country, meaning you don’t have to go to the Windy City to enjoy some of the town’s finest pizza. And if you’re not near one of our restaurants, we have you covered. Our pizza packs are perfect for home-freezing, meaning you can enjoy Giordano’s famous pizza wherever you call home.

Find a location near you to dine in or place your order today!