HOMEMADE CHICAGO STYLE DEEP DISH PIZZA

Making a homemade Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is a rewarding and delicious project. This type of pizza is known for its thick, buttery crust, layers of cheese, and chunky tomato sauce on top. Here’s a step-by-step recipe to make your own Chicago-style deep-dish pizza at home:

Ingredients

Dough

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Filling

• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pound Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup sliced pepperoni
• 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives

Sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes frothy.
   • Add the melted butter, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually add the flour and cornmeal, mixing until a dough forms.
   • Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
   • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Sauce:
   • While the dough is rising, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
   • Add the minced garlic, oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and cook for another minute.
   • Stir in the crushed tomatoes and sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Assemble the Pizza:
   • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
   • Once the dough has risen, punch it down and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough into a large circle, about 14 inches in diameter.
   • Grease a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan or cast-iron skillet with olive oil. Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to the pan, pressing it into the bottom and up the sides.
   • Sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the dough, covering the bottom completely.
   • Add a layer of cooked sausage, followed by pepperoni, bell peppers, and black olives. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the toppings.
   • Pour the prepared tomato sauce over the top, spreading it out evenly.
4. Bake the Pizza:
   • Bake the assembled pizza in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
   • If the edges of the crust start to brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
5. Serve:
   • Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips

• For an even richer flavor, you can add a layer of sliced mushrooms or cooked spinach.
• Use high-quality mozzarella cheese for the best results.
• Let the pizza cool slightly before cutting to allow the layers to set.

Enjoy your homemade Chicago-style deep-dish pizza!