Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

Introduction

Chicago-style deep dish pizza is a hearty, thick-crust pie loaded with mozzarella, rich tomato sauce, and your favorite toppings. Its buttery crust and layers of cheese make it a comforting favorite for pizza lovers craving something substantial and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
• 1 ¼ cups warm water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sauce)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cooked Italian sausage or pepperoni (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add flour, cornmeal, salt, olive oil, and melted butter. Mix and knead until smooth.
3. Step 3: Cover and let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 to 2 hours or until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt. Simmer for 20–30 minutes until thickened.
6. Step 6: Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Grease a 9–10 inch deep dish pan with butter or oil.
7. Step 7: Press dough into the pan, pushing it up the sides to form a crust.
8. Step 8: Layer mozzarella cheese first, followed by sausage or pepperoni if using.
9. Step 9: Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the toppings.
10. Step 10: Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
11. Step 11: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, covering with foil halfway if the crust browns too quickly.
12. Step 12: Let cool for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a crispier crust, try brushing the dough with extra melted butter before baking.
• Substitute Italian sausage with cooked mushrooms or bell peppers for a vegetarian version.
• Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture, but drain it well to avoid sogginess.
• Pair your pizza with a simple green salad to balance the richness.

Storage

Store leftover deep dish pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes to retain crust crispness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it overnight. Allow it to come to room temperature before shaping and baking.

What if I don’t have a deep dish pan?

You can use a standard round cake pan or a cast-iron skillet as a substitute. Just ensure it has high enough sides to contain the thick crust and toppings.

Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 129 reviews

• Author: Lily
• Total Time: 2 hours 60 minutes
• Yield: 8 slices 1x

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Description

This classic Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza boasts a buttery, golden crust loaded with gooey mozzarella cheese, rich tomato sauce, and savory Italian sausage or pepperoni. Perfectly baked to a thick, hearty finish, this pizza recipe is ideal for anyone craving a slice of authentic Chicago comfort food.

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Ingredients

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Dough

• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
• 1 ¼ cups warm water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Cheese and Toppings

• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup cooked Italian sausage or pepperoni (optional)

Tomato Sauce

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sauce)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: Combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast in a bowl. Let it sit for 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Make Dough: Add the all-purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, salt, olive oil, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly and knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic.
3. Proof Dough: Cover the dough and place it in a warm area for 1 to 2 hours, allowing it to rise until it doubles in size.
4. Prepare Sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, sauté the minced garlic until fragrant but not browned.
5. Simmer Sauce: Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt to the pan. Simmer for 20–30 minutes until the sauce thickens to a rich consistency.
6. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Grease a 9-10 inch deep dish pizza pan with butter or oil to ensure the pizza doesn’t stick.
7. Shape Dough: Press the risen dough into the prepared pan, making sure to push it up the sides to form a thick crust edge.
8. Add Cheese and Meat: Start layering shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough base. If using, add cooked Italian sausage or pepperoni on top of the cheese.
9. Pour Sauce: Spread the thickened tomato sauce evenly over the cheese and meat layers.
10. Final Cheese Topping: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the top of the pizza to finish.
11. Bake: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. If the crust or cheese browns too quickly, cover the pizza loosely with foil halfway through baking.
12. Cool and Serve: Allow the pizza to cool for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the layers set for easier serving.

Notes

• For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5-7 minutes before layering cheese and toppings.
• You can substitute Italian sausage with pepperoni or other preferred meats.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level of the sauce.
• Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture, but ensure to pat dry to prevent excess moisture.
• Leftover deep dish pizza can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for best texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chicago style pizza, deep dish pizza, homemade pizza, Italian sausage pizza, mozzarella pizza, tomato sauce pizza