Description
This homemade Chicago-style deep dish pizza features a buttery, crisp crust with layers of gooey mozzarella, savory sausage, and chunky tomato sauce. A comforting, crowd-pleasing classic that’s easier to make than you think.
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil or melted butter
- 3 cups shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, crumbled and cooked
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes or chunky tomato sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Stir in flour, cornmeal, salt, and olive oil or melted butter. Mix and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Meanwhile, heat a small amount of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, and salt to taste. Simmer for 20-30 minutes until thickened. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Punch down the dough and roll it into a circle slightly larger than your 9- or 10-inch deep dish pan.
- Grease the pan and press the dough into the bottom and up the sides.
- Layer the mozzarella directly onto the dough, followed by cooked sausage or other toppings.
- Pour the prepared tomato sauce over the toppings, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling. Cover loosely with foil if browning too quickly.
- Let the pizza cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Vegetarian? Omit sausage and add mushrooms, spinach, onions, and peppers.
- Make the dough a day ahead and refrigerate after rising.
- Layering cheese directly on dough helps prevent sogginess.
- Use a cast-iron skillet if you don’t have a deep dish pan.
- Freeze leftovers tightly wrapped; reheat from frozen at 375°F for 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of pizza)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
