Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

A hearty, cheesy, and indulgent pizza with a buttery, thick crust, layers of gooey mozzarella, savory sausage, and tangy tomato sauce. This iconic Chicago-style pizza is perfect for weekend dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast

• 1 1/2 tsp sugar

• 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F / 45°C)

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup cornmeal

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/2 lb (225 g) Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Sauce:

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 1/2 tsp sugar (optional, to reduce acidity)

Instructions

1. Prepare Dough:
   In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. In a large bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, and salt. Add melted butter and yeast mixture. Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise for 1–1.5 hours, until doubled.

2. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

3. Prepare Sauce:
   Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Assemble Pizza:
   Grease a 9-inch deep-dish pan. Press dough into the pan, pushing up the sides to form a thick crust. Layer mozzarella cheese on the bottom, followed by cooked sausage and Parmesan cheese. Pour tomato sauce over the top.

5. Bake:
   Bake in preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, until crust is golden and sauce is bubbly.

6. Cool and Serve:
   Allow pizza to cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Serve hot.

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl

• Small bowl

• Saucepan

• Wooden spoon or spatula

• 9-inch deep-dish pizza pan or cake pan

• Measuring cups and spoons

Timing

• Prep Time: 25 minutes

• Dough Rising Time: 1–1.5 hours

• Cook Time: 25–30 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes–2 hours 15 minutes

Serving Size
Serves 4–6

Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

A hearty, cheesy, and indulgent pizza with a buttery, thick crust, layers of gooey mozzarella, savory sausage, and tangy tomato sauce. This iconic Chicago-style pizza is perfect for weekend dinners or special occasions.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:25 minutes mins

Cook Time:30 minutes mins

Total Time:2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Small bowl
• Saucepan
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• 9-inch deep-dish pizza pan or cake pan
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

• For the Dough:
• 2 1/4 tsp 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1 1/4 cups warm water 110°F / 45°C
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
• For the Filling:
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 lb 225 g Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• For the Sauce:
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp sugar optional, to reduce acidity

Instructions

• Prepare Dough:
• In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. In a large bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, and salt. Add melted butter and yeast mixture. Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise for 1–1.5 hours, until doubled.
• Preheat Oven:
• Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
• Prepare Sauce:
• Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Assemble Pizza:
• Grease a 9-inch deep-dish pan. Press dough into the pan, pushing up the sides to form a thick crust. Layer mozzarella cheese on the bottom, followed by cooked sausage and Parmesan cheese. Pour tomato sauce over the top.
• Bake:
• Bake in preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, until crust is golden and sauce is bubbly.
• Cool and Serve:
• Allow pizza to cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Serve hot.

Servings: 6 servings

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Yes. Store-bought dough can save time; adjust cooking time slightly if needed.

Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes. Replace sausage with sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers.

Can I use a different cheese?
Yes. Provolone, fontina, or a blend of mozzarella and cheddar works well.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare and refrigerate the sauce up to 3 days in advance.

Can I freeze this pizza?
Yes. Assemble but do not bake, then freeze. Bake from frozen at 425°F (220°C) for 35–40 minutes.

Can I make individual deep-dish pizzas?
Yes. Use smaller pans or cast-iron skillets for personal-sized pizzas. Adjust baking time accordingly.

Can I use pre-cooked sausage?
Yes. Ensure it’s crumbled and evenly layered. Reduce cooking time slightly if meat is already fully cooked.

How do I prevent a soggy crust?
Layer cheese on the bottom before sauce to create a barrier and use a preheated pan if possible.

Can I use canned diced tomatoes instead of crushed?
Yes, but blend them into a smooth sauce before using for the best texture.

Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes. Use a gluten-free pizza dough and ensure all other ingredients (like sausage) are gluten-free.

How To Store Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Refrigerator:
Store cooled pizza in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in an oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.

Freezer:
Cool completely, wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying.

Serving Tips:
Allow pizza to cool for a few minutes before slicing to prevent cheese and toppings from spilling. Serve with a simple side salad for a complete meal.