Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza Recipe
I can confidently say that there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of making a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza at home. The first time I tried this recipe, I was hooked, and now I’m excited to share every detail with you.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ tsp 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 ¼ cups warm water 110°F
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornmeal
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp red chili flakes optional
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups cooked Italian sausage
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni or veggies of choice
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Activate yeast in warm water with sugar. Mix with flour, cornmeal, salt, and olive oil. Knead for 10 minutes, then let rise for 1 hour.
- Cook the Sauce: Sauté garlic in olive oil, then add crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Assemble the Pizza: Preheat oven to 425°F. Roll out dough and press into a deep-dish pan. Layer mozzarella first, then toppings, followed by sauce and Parmesan.
- Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Cornmeal makes a difference! It adds the signature deep-dish texture.
- Use room-temperature cheese for even melting.
- Pre-cook wet toppings like mushrooms to avoid a soggy crust.
- Grease your pan well for a crispy, golden base.