Chicago Deep Dish Pizza is a beloved classic that features a thick, buttery crust, loads of gooey cheese, a savory tomato sauce, and hearty toppings. It’s like a pizza and a casserole combined! Here’s how to make it at home:
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Recipe
Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal (for authenticity, but you can skip this if you don’t have it)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the filling:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, depending on your preference)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1/2 bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes (preferably canned San Marzano tomatoes)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
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Make the crust:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and yeast.
- Add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients, then stir until the dough starts to come together.
- Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic. Add a little flour if it’s too sticky.
- Form the dough into a ball, place it in a greased bowl, and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
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Make the filling:
- While the dough is rising, cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. When the sausage is browned and cooked through, drain any excess fat and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion (and bell pepper if using) in a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic powder, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine, and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning to taste.
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Assemble the pizza:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it out into a large circle, large enough to fit your 9-inch or 10-inch deep dish pizza pan (you want it to come up the sides of the pan).
- Grease the pizza pan with olive oil, then press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
- Layer the mozzarella cheese evenly over the bottom of the crust (this will help prevent the crust from becoming soggy).
- Add the cooked sausage, followed by the onion and bell pepper mixture.
- Pour the tomato sauce over the filling, spreading it out evenly with a spoon.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
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Bake the pizza:
- Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- If the crust is getting too dark before the pizza is fully cooked, cover the edges with aluminum foil and continue baking until done.
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Serve:
- Let the pizza cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving to allow the layers to set.
Tips:
- You can customize the toppings by adding pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, or any other pizza toppings you enjoy.
- If you prefer a crispier crust, brush the sides of the dough with a little olive oil before baking.
- For a more authentic taste, make the dough the day before and let it rise slowly in the fridge overnight.
- Deep dish pizza is known for its rich, buttery crust. If you want to get that buttery flavor, use a little extra butter (1-2 tablespoons) when greasing the pan.
Enjoy your homemade Chicago Deep Dish Pizza! It’s a comforting, cheesy masterpiece that’s perfect for sharing.