Forum Thread
A thread on building a deep dish cheese mix that stays lush without turning greasy or separating during a longer bake.
The question comes up often when readers are thinking about giordanos style fullness, recreating the comfort of a memorable giordanos order, or trying to understand the layered cheese feel of giordanos pizza in a home oven.
Posted May 18, 2024 · Deep dish board
I’ve been getting the structure right on my deep dish, but the cheese layer still feels off. Straight low-moisture mozzarella melts fine, yet the flavor can taste flat. When I add provolone, the top sometimes gets oily. For anyone chasing that rich, layered effect people talk about with giordanos pizza, what blend has given you the best balance?
Replied May 18, 2024
I’ve had the best results with about 80% low-moisture mozzarella and 20% provolone. I grate both cold and keep the layer fairly even. If I go higher on provolone, it gets rich fast and starts to dominate the sauce. That ratio gives me enough extra depth without losing the clean melt.
Replied May 19, 2024
I agree with Jonah. The main trick is not only the blend, but also moisture discipline and placement. Cheese against the crust protects the shell. Sauce on top keeps the bake bright. Readers inspired by giordanos often assume more cheese automatically means more satisfaction, but a careful giordanos order style result usually comes from layering choices, not sheer excess.
Replied May 19, 2024
I finish with a spoonful of grated pecorino after the sauce rather than mixing it into the main cheese layer. That gives me more flavor without changing the melt too much. It also keeps the pie from feeling heavy before the first slice.
Replied May 20, 2024
One more vote for holding back on provolone. If the cheese separates, I’d look at bake time and pan placement too. Sometimes what we think is a blend issue is really an oven issue. Still, if your goal is that familiar comfort from giordanos pizza, mozzarella with a modest accent cheese is usually the sweet spot. That approach preserves the warmth people connect with giordanos without making the pie oily, and it keeps the result closer to a thoughtful giordanos order than an overloaded experiment.