DINNER

Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

Here’s how to make a deep-dish pizza that tastes just like the real thing from Chicago. Including a buttery crust, a generous amount of cheese, and a slightly sweet tomato sauce. Makes two 9-inch deep-dish pizzas using this recipe. Make them both if you are hosting guests or have a family of four or five people. In case you live in a smaller family, you can freeze half of the dough by following the instructions mentioned in the recipe notes.

Ingredients

 Dough:

  •  2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  •  3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  •  1/2 cup cornmeal
  •  1/2 cup vegetable oil
  •  1 teaspoon salt

 Cheese Layer:

  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  •  1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 Toppings:

  • One pound of cooked and crumbled Italian sausage (optional)
  •  1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (optional)
  •  1 green bell pepper, sliced
  •  1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
  •  1 small onion, chopped

 Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  •  2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
  •  1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  •  1 teaspoon sugar
  •  Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Dough Preparation:

  •  Dissolve the sugar and yeast in the warm water in a small basin. Allow it to sit until foamy, about ten minutes.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and vegetable oil. Mix until a dough forms.
  •  Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, until doubled in size.

 Sauce Preparation:

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  •  Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

 Assembling the Pizza:

  •  Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
  •  Punch down the dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll it out into a large circle, about 12 inches in diameter.
  •  Grease a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan or cast-iron skillet with vegetable oil. Press the dough into the pan, ensuring it comes up the sides.
  •  Layer the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on the bottom of the dough. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top.
  •  Add your desired toppings (sausage, pepperoni, green bell pepper, mushrooms, onions) over the cheese layer.
  •  Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the toppings, spreading it out with a spoon.

Baking:

  •  Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
  •  Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your homemade Chicago-style deep-dish pizza!

 

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