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Chicago deep dish pizza

Savor Homemade Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Like a Pro

Learn how to make Chicago deep dish pizza at home, featuring its iconic buttery crust and rich layers of cheese and sauce.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rising Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

For the Crust
  • 2 cups All-purpose flour or bread flour for chewier texture
  • 1/4 cup Yellow cornmeal or semolina as alternative
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar omit for less sweet dough
  • 1 packet Active dry yeast ensure fresh for perfect rise
  • 1 cup Warm water (110°F) careful with temperature
  • 1/4 cup Unsalted butter (melted) can replace with margarine or olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil or any neutral oil
For the Filling
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter (for filling) or olive oil for lighter version
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (crumbled) preferably raw for juiciness
  • 1 medium Green bell pepper or other bell peppers
  • 1 medium Onion or shallots as milder substitute
  • 2 cloves Garlic fresh minced for best impact
For the Sauce
  • 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes high-quality brands like San Marzano
  • 1 teaspoon Dried oregano or fresh herbs at 3:1 ratio
  • 1 teaspoon Dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon Salt to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar to balance the sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil (for sauce) adds richness
For the Toppings
  • 3 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese can blend with provolone
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese or Pecorino Romano as substitute

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Skillet
  • Saucepan
  • Deep-dish pizza pan

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Prepare Dough: In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast; let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, cornmeal, salt, butter, and olive oil. Gradually mix in yeast mixture, knead for 5 minutes, then rise for 1.5 hours.
  2. Prepare Filling: Heat butter in a skillet, add sausage, and cook until browned (7-10 minutes). In the same skillet, sauté onions, bell pepper, and garlic until soft (about 5 minutes). Combine with sausage.
  3. Make Sauce: Heat olive oil in a saucepan, add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
  4. Assemble Pizza: Preheat oven to 425°F. Roll out dough and press into pizza pan. Layer mozzarella cheese on dough, then sausage and vegetable mixture, and pour prepared sauce over top.
  5. Bake: Place pizza in oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 20gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 15mg

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor, and allow the pizza to cool before slicing to prevent messiness.

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