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Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

A buttery, cheesy, and hearty deep dish pizza layered with mozzarella, sausage, and rich tomato sauce baked in a golden crust.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Chicago
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pizza Dough
  • 3.25 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 2.25 tsp instant yeast
  • 1.25 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1.25 cups warm water
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
Filling
  • 4 cups whole milk mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 lb Italian sausage cooked and crumbled
  • 0.5 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 20 slices pepperoni optional
Tomato Sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 tsp sugar

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Cast iron skillet or deep dish pizza pan
  • Rolling Pin
  • Saucepan

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, yeast, salt, and sugar.
  2. Add warm water, melted butter, and olive oil. Mix until dough forms.
  3. Knead dough for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Cover and let dough rise for 1 to 1½ hours until doubled.
  5. Prepare sauce by heating olive oil and garlic in a saucepan.
  6. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and sugar. Simmer 20 minutes.
  7. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  8. Grease a deep dish pizza pan or cast iron skillet.
  9. Roll dough into a large circle and press into the pan.
  10. Layer mozzarella cheese directly onto the crust.
  11. Add sausage and pepperoni evenly.
  12. Spread tomato sauce on top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
  13. Bake 30–35 minutes until crust is golden and filling bubbles.
  14. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For the crispiest crust, bake the pizza on the lower oven rack. Allow resting time before slicing so layers hold together perfectly.