Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

ure! Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is a classic, with its thick crust, hearty filling, and loads of cheese and sauce. Here’s a recipe to make it from scratch:

Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)

• 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• ¼ cup olive oil (plus more for greasing)

For the filling:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed, crumbled)

• 1 bell pepper, diced

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes (or whole tomatoes, crushed by hand)

• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

• 1 tablespoon dried basil

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (preferably whole milk)

• 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese

• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Make the dough:

   • In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir to dissolve and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until frothy.

   • In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour, and mix until a dough forms.

   • Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour.

   • Coat a clean bowl with olive oil, place the dough in the bowl, and cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

2. Prepare the filling:

   • Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the crumbled sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes).

   • Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic, and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened.

   • Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and let it simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

3. Assemble the pizza:

   • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

   • Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface. Roll it to fit your 12-inch deep-dish pan, making sure the dough covers the bottom and sides.

   • Carefully press the dough into the pan, ensuring there’s about 1-inch of dough above the edge of the pan.

   • Begin layering the ingredients: first, add a generous amount of mozzarella cheese on the bottom (this helps prevent the crust from getting soggy). Then, layer the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture on top of the cheese.

   • Sprinkle a little more mozzarella cheese, then top with Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake the pizza:

   • Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy.

   • Let the pizza cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow the cheese to set.

5. Serve:

   • Garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired and serve hot!