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:
- Combine flour, cornmeal, yeast, sugar, and salt in a stand mixer bowl.
- Add water and melted butter, mixing until combined.
- Knead for 4-5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).
2. Prepare the Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a pan, sauté onion and garlic until softened.
- Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, basil, and oregano. Simmer for 25-30 minutes until reduced.
- Season with salt and pepper.
3. Roll and Shape the Dough:
- Roll dough into a 15×12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over it.
- Roll into a tight cylinder, then flatten into an 18×4-inch rectangle.
- Cut into two pieces, shape into balls, and refrigerate for 40-50 minutes.
4. Assemble the Pizza:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Oil two 9-inch cake pans with 2 tablespoons of olive oil each.
- Roll each dough ball into a disk, pressing into the pans and up the sides.
- Layer mozzarella, sausage, sauce, and Parmesan in each pan.
5. Bake the Pizza:
- Bake on the lowest rack for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- 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