Do you love food and nostalgia? This copycat Pizza Hut Priazzo brings the 1980s to the dinner table.

Those who grew up in the mid to late 80’s (1985 to be exact) may remember that Pizza Hut used to have a delicious dish known as the Priazzo.

This deliciousness was the invention of Charles Brymer, who was a marketing consultant who had also named the Pontiac Fiero.

It was a thick pan pizza that was more like a pie filled with meat, veggies, etc.

Some may say it might be more comparable to lasagna but with a crust.

 

It was so popular at the chain restaurant that there is a Facebook group: Bring the Pizza Hut Priazzo Back.

The appeal of the Pizza Hut Priazzo was not just one but deep-dish offerings times FOUR.

Yeah, yeah, I hear you in the back.

These weren’t traditional deep-dish pizzas in the pure term.

More of a–what’s the word we use now? Fusion?

Yes!

A fusion of stuffed pizza colliding with deep-dish pizza.

A layer of sauce.

The layer of pizza toppings.

A layer of crust.

More sauce.

Even more toppings.

More cheese!

The original came in three varieties, each named after Italian cities.

A small Priazzo sold for about $8.05, a medium was $10.95, and a large ran around $13.75.

It’s the ultimate Italian Pie.

A blast from the food in our past we want back.

For those wanting a little blast past from the past, here’s a Pizza Hut Priazzo commercial:

Why did Pizza Hut stop making Priazzo?

To be fair, there was a long wait, which is most likely why it is no longer on their menu.

The wait was so long that Pizza Hut took it off their lunch menu and had specific times when the priazzo would be served, typically after 4 PM on weekdays and weekends.

Pizza Hut last mentioned this menu item in print by Pizza Hut in 1993.

We simplified the recipe for the same fun and great flavor but without the hassle!

This recipe uses only Mozzarella cheese; however, the possibilities are endless.

If you want to make it more authentic, Pizza Hut has several different cheese blends that they use.

One source says their signature “cheese blend” is made up of four kinds of cheese (sharp Cheddar, Edam, Romano, Parmesan).

I have been told the original Pizza Hut “cheese blend” had six kinds of cheese: Mozzarella, Cheddar, Parmesan, Provolone, Monterey Jack, and Romano.

We think the Mozzarella tastes more authentic than the 1985 Pizza Hut Priazzo.

Fun Fact: Pizza Hut uses three percent of all U.S. cheese production–the company uses more than 300-million pounds of cheese annually.

While Pizza Hut took it off the menu in 1986, we created this copycat Pizza Hut Priazzo to bring it back to dinner tonight!

 

Bring the 1980s back to dinner with this Copy Cat Pizza Hut Priazzo!

Recipe Ingredients:

1 box Pillsbury pie-crusts (or use the copycat Pizza Hut Pizza Dough)

2 jars Ragu pizza sauce (Try making the copycat Pizz Hut Sauce below!)

1 pound sausage or ground beef (I like a combination of the two)

1 small onion, optional (diced)

1 package pepperonis

4 cups mozzarella cheese (or try cheddar cheese)

 

 

How to Make a Priazzo:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

Prepare a deep pie pan with non-stick spray.

Unroll one pie crust into a pie pan. (I recommend deep dish 9-inch pie plates)

TIP:

You’ll want to work it up the sides of your pan. In the end, the dough should overlap the sides making a barrier to hold the thick, delicious pizza sauce.

This is a sure-fire way to lock in all the flavors of your pizza.

 

Brown sausage over medium heat in a large skillet.

Add the small onion here; if using–it will cook with the sausage.

 

Drain the grease from the sausage.

 

Add the meat from the pan to the prepared pie crust.

Pour half of the jar of Ragu pizza sauce onto the sausage.

 

Layer 2 cups of mozzarella cheese on top of the meat.

 

Next, pour the second half of the Ragu pizza sauce jar over the mozzarella cheese layer.

 

Layer the pepperonis on top of the sauce.

 

Add half of the pizza sauce from the second jar of Ragu pizza sauce on top of the pepperonis and smooth out.

 

Layer 2 more cups of mozzarella cheese.

 

Then the second half of the second jar of Ragu pizza sauce on top.

 

Unroll the second Pillsbury pie crust on top of the pizza pie and tuck the edges in.

Crimp edges after tucking to keep all the goodness inside.

 

Cut holes on top for ventilation.

Bake for approximately 35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and cooked through.

TIP:

To keep the edges of the crust from getting too done, cover the edges of the pie crust with foil for most of the cooking time and then remove it during the last 10-15 minutes of baking so the crust will brown.

Serves 6. 

Refrigerate leftovers. 

Reheats very well.

That first bite is going to be amazing!

We all know Pizza Hut has options, so if you want to Flashback, even more,

Try these variations for your Copy Cat Pizza Hut Priazzo:

Priazzo Roma:

Use a small green pepper, black olives, mushrooms, pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, Mozzarella, onion, and cheddar cheese.

Godfather:

Add Monterrey Jack, Parmesan, ricotta to the Roma variation

Milano:

Meat eater’s Delight pile on the Canadian bacon but leave out the small onion.

Florentine:

Combine five kinds of cheese: Ricotta, Parmesan, Romano, Mozzarella, and Cheddar. Add ham and a bit of spinach.

Priazzo Napoli:

Add sliced tomatoes to the top layer.

Portofino:

At to the sausage chopped, red or green bell pepper and onion.

Copy Cat Pizza Hut Pizza Sauce:

Time: 35-minutes

Makes: 2 cups

It’s a real treat and perfect for Pizza Hut’s Priazzo, dipping fresh vegetables or breadsticks.

Copy Cat Pizza Hut Pizza Sauce Ingredients:

1 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce

1/8 cup water

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1 whole bay leaf

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Copy Cat Pizza Hut Pizza Sauce Directions:

In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients.

Bring sauce to a rapid boil.

Next, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until it is to your desired thick pizza sauce.

What is your favorite version of the Pizza Hut Priazzo Pizza?

This recipe appears in Julee Morrison’s The How To Cookbook for Teens

Help your teenager discover the joy of cooking and becoming self-sufficient.

Cooking provides curious teens with a fun, creative outlet while teaching them lifelong skills. With simple recipes and step-by-step instructions, this introductory cookbook for teens guides young chefs-to-be from the first day in the kitchen to cooking full, flavorful meals for the whole family.

What sets this cookbook for teens apart from other cookbooks for beginners:

• Teen-friendly foods―Your teen will discover 100 recipes to please their teenage palate, including Nachos, Sloppy Joes, Easy Shrimp Scampi, Mustard and Maple-Glazed Chicken.
• Cooking fundamentals―For teens just starting out, this cookbook teaches all the basics, like cooking techniques, prepping the kitchen, and tips on reading a recipe.
• Built for trial and error―This kids’ cookbook encourages teen chefs to explore. Each recipe includes space to write down new ingredients; teens can experiment with flavors and textures and learn what worked (and what didn’t!).

Transform your teen into a culinary whiz with this beginner cookbook written just for them.

 

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Resources:

http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2011/11/10-discontinued-fast-food-items-we-want-back/8