All Dressed Pizza: Ingredients, History & How to Make It

Pizza is one of the world's most popular foods, and Canada has its own variation of the popular dish. One of them is the All Dressed Pizza—a delicious, satisfying meal with a combination of toppings that lead to a flavor burst in every bite. Whether you're a pizza lover eager to experiment or a home chef who wants to learn to prepare your own, this blog will walk you through the history, ingredients, and step-by-step guide to preparing the best All Dressed Pizza.

What is All Dressed Pizza?

If you've ever walked into a Canadian pizzeria, chances are you've seen All Dressed Pizza on the board. But, what exactly is it? Where most pizzas don't stray from some ingredients like pepperoni or mushrooms, All Dressed Pizza does exactly what you'd think, which is to show up filled with a multitude of classic toppings.

An average All Dressed Pizza consists of:

• Pepperoni

• Green Peppers

• Mushrooms

• Mozzarella Cheese

• Tomato Sauce

There are certain variations with onions, bacon, olives, or hot sausage added thereto, if the pizzeria or consumer so desires.

The History of All Dressed Pizza

Where did it originate from?

All Dressed Pizza is deeply rooted in Canadian pizza tradition, especially Quebecois. "All dressed" (or "toute garnie" in Quebecois French) refers to piling on all the required toppings on one pizza, a convenient default option for people who like a bit of everything.

Though pizza itself was invented in Italy, All Dressed Pizza was a Montreal pizzeria invention, and it caught on fast. Italian immigrants moved to Canada in the mid-20th century, bringing with them their expertise in making pizza. Local tastes over time resulted in the development of new styles, and the All Dressed Pizza, which was fully loaded, was the end result.

How It Became a Favorite in Canada

All Dressed Pizza was popular across Quebec and gradually made its way to the rest of Canada, especially to Ontario. It was an easy and satisfying combination of toppings that people enjoyed having at parties, hockey games, and restaurant meals. Nowadays, it's a staple pizza to order in pizzerias in most local towns and is frozen and on sale in stores.

Ingredients for All Dressed Pizza

If you're feeling like making your own All Dressed Pizza from home, here are the ingredients you'll require:

For the Dough

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1 ¼ cups of warm water (110°F)

2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Sauce

1 can (14 oz) of crushed tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the toppings

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup diced pepperoni

• ½ cup chopped green bell pepper

• ½ cup sliced mushrooms

• ¼ cup of sliced onions (optional)

• ¼ cup black olives (optional)

• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

All Dressed Pizza at Home: How to Make It

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

• In a small bowl, combine yeast and sugar with warm water. Let it stand for 5–10 minutes until frothy.

• Mix flour and salt in a large bowl.

• Add the yeast mixture and olive oil and combine until dough is achieved.

• Knead the dough lightly on a lightly floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

• Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in bulk, with a damp cloth.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

• Warm olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan.

• Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.

• Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper and stir.

• Let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Construct the Pizza

• Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C).

• Roll the dough out into a 12–14 inch circle on a pizza stone or baking sheet.

• Apply an even layer of pizza sauce to the dough.

• Generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese at the top.

• Top cheese with an even layer of pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms, onions, and olives.

• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.

Step 4: Bake and Serve

• Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes.

• Slice, serve, and enjoy your All Dressed Pizza at home!

Why Canadians Adore All Dressed Pizza

All Dressed Pizza is not just about the flavors alone, it's about tradition and preference. From a family evening dinner to a game session snack to an insomniac midnight craving, this pizza satisfies each and every occasion. Canadians are addicted because

1. Perfect balance of flavors: Not too spicy, not too cheesy, not too meaty just right!

2. Easy to personalize: You can have the toppings changed as per your preference.

3. Perfect to share: The toppings choice is a crowd-pleaser.

4. A Canadian classic: A pizza that tastes like home.

If you have never tasted All Dressed Pizza, today is the perfect day to do so! Whether you order it delivered at a Quebec or Ontario pizzeria or prepare it at home using this recipe, you're in for a treat, a good meal. With its rich history, savory flavors, and easy preparation, it's no surprise that All Dressed Pizza is a favorite in Canada. Well, what are you waiting for? Get out your ingredients, heat up your oven, and treat yourself to a slice of this authentic Canadian pizza.