Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

Introduction

Chicago-style deep dish pizza is a hearty, comforting meal known for its thick, buttery crust and layers of rich cheese and tangy tomato sauce. Perfect for a cozy night in, this pizza is as satisfying to make as it is to eat.

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: In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Step 2: Add flour, cornmeal, salt, olive oil, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix and knead the dough until smooth.
3. Step 3: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
4. Step 4: While the dough rises, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt to the garlic. Simmer the sauce for 20–30 minutes until thickened.
6. Step 6: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Grease a 9–10 inch deep dish pan with butter or oil.
7. Step 7: Press the dough into the pan, pushing it up the sides to form a thick crust.
8. Step 8: Layer shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough, then add cooked sausage or pepperoni if using.
9. Step 9: Pour the thickened tomato sauce evenly over the toppings.
10. Step 10: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top of the sauce.
11. Step 11: Bake the pizza for 30 to 35 minutes. If the crust browns too quickly, cover it with foil halfway through baking.
12. Step 12: Allow the pizza to cool for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving to let the layers set.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, brush the crust edges with garlic butter before baking.
• Try adding sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers between the cheese and sauce layers.
• If you don’t have cornmeal, you can substitute with fine semolina for a similar texture.
• Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture, but drain it well to avoid a soggy crust.
• Make the sauce a day ahead to deepen the flavors and save time on baking day.

Storage

Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm slices in a 375°F oven for about 10 minutes to restore the crispness of the crust. Avoid microwaving, which can make the crust chewy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, store-bought dough can be used to simplify the process. Just make sure to roll it out thick enough to create the deep dish crust.

What type of pan works best for deep dish pizza?

A 9–10 inch round deep dish or cake pan with high sides works best to hold the thick layers of dough, cheese, and sauce typical of Chicago-style deep dish pizza.

Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 116 reviews

• Author: Gabriel
• Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 slices 1x

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Description

This Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza is a hearty, cheesy, and flavorful take on a beloved classic. Featuring a rich, buttery crust baked in a deep dish pan, layers of gooey mozzarella cheese, optional Italian sausage or pepperoni, and a robust, slow-simmered tomato sauce seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic—this recipe brings the authentic deep dish pizza experience right to your kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

Tomato Sauce

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

Toppings

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

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Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating that the yeast is active and ready to use.
2. Prepare Dough: Add the all-purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, salt, olive oil, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix well and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.
3. Let Dough Rise: Cover the dough with a cloth or plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot. Allow it to rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
4. Make Sauce Base: In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Simmer Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt to the garlic. Stir and let the sauce simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes, or until it thickens to your liking.
6. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Grease a 9 to 10-inch deep dish pan with butter or oil to prevent sticking and enhance flavor.
7. Shape Dough in Pan: Press the risen dough into the prepared pan, making sure to push it up along the sides to form a deep crust that will hold all the toppings and sauce.
8. Add Cheese and Meats: Layer the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough first. If using, add the cooked Italian sausage or pepperoni on top of the cheese layer.
9. Top with Sauce: Pour the thickened tomato sauce evenly over the cheese and meats, spreading it out to cover the entire surface.
10. Sprinkle Parmesan: Finish by sprinkling the grated parmesan cheese over the top of the sauce for added flavor and a lovely crust when baked.
11. Bake Pizza: Place the deep dish pizza in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. If the top browns too quickly, cover with foil halfway through baking to prevent burning.
12. Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes to set. Slice and serve warm for the best taste experience.

Notes

• Ensure the water for activating yeast is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
• You can substitute Italian sausage or pepperoni with vegetables for a vegetarian option.
• If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase the red pepper flakes slightly.
• Allowing the pizza to cool before slicing helps prevent the cheese and sauce from sliding off.
• Using a deep dish pan or a cast iron skillet can improve the crust texture and cooking consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American, Chicago Style

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