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Ultimate Chicago Deep Dish Pizza


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  • Author: Clara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 deep dish pizzas (8 servings total)

Description

Bring the taste of Chicago to your kitchen with this Ultimate Chicago Deep Dish Pizza! A buttery crust, gooey mozzarella, savory sausage, and rich tomato sauce make this a pizza like no other. Perfect for family dinners or impressing guests.


Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 2 teaspoons white sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt
  • 1 1/4 cups water (room temperature)
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter
  • 4 tablespoons softened butter
  • Olive oil (as needed)

For the Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

For the Toppings:

  • 1 lb (4 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 lb Italian sausage, browned
  • 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Make the Dough:

  1. Combine flour, cornmeal, yeast, sugar, and salt in a stand mixer bowl.
  2. Add water and melted butter, mixing until combined.
  3. Knead for 4-5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).

2. Prepare the Sauce:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan, sauté onion and garlic until softened.
  2. Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, basil, and oregano. Simmer for 25-30 minutes until reduced.
  3. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Roll and Shape the Dough:

  1. Roll dough into a 15×12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over it.
  2. Roll into a tight cylinder, then flatten into an 18×4-inch rectangle.
  3. Cut into two pieces, shape into balls, and refrigerate for 40-50 minutes.

4. Assemble the Pizza:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Oil two 9-inch cake pans with 2 tablespoons of olive oil each.
  2. Roll each dough ball into a disk, pressing into the pans and up the sides.
  3. Layer mozzarella, sausage, sauce, and Parmesan in each pan.

5. Bake the Pizza:

  1. Bake on the lowest rack for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
  2. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • To freeze dough, wrap tightly after the first rise and store for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat leftovers in the oven to maintain texture.
  • Experiment with toppings like mushrooms, peppers, or spinach.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American