Description
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons of cornmeal
- 1 ¾ teaspoons of salt
- 2 ¾ teaspoons of instant yeast
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 ¾ cups of lukewarm water
For the Filling:
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 lb of mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1 lb of Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled (optional)
- 1 large onion, diced and sautéed (optional)
- 2 cups of mushrooms, sliced and sautéed (optional)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced and sautéed (optional)
- 3 cups of marinara sauce
- ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornmeal, salt, and instant yeast.
- Add the melted butter, olive oil, and lukewarm water to the dry ingredients. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until it’s smooth and elastic, about 7 minutes.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise until doubled in size, about 60 minutes.
2. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.
3. Prepare the Filling:
- While the dough is rising, prepare your filling. Cook and crumble the Italian sausage, and sauté the onion, mushrooms, and green bell pepper in olive oil until they are soft and slightly caramelized.
4. Assemble the Pizza:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about ½ inch thick. Transfer it to a deep-dish pizza pan or a cast-iron skillet, making sure to press it up the sides of the pan.
- Layer the mozzarella cheese slices on the bottom of the dough.
- Add the cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, or any other toppings of your choice.
- Pour the marinara sauce over the top of the fillings. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
5. Bake the Pizza:
- Place the pizza in the preheated oven on the pizza stone or directly on the rack.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Tips:
- For an authentic Chicago-style experience, make sure the sauce is on top of the cheese and fillings, not beneath. This unique layering is what sets Chicago deep-dish pizza apart from other styles.
- Feel free to customize the fillings according to your preferences. Traditional Chicago deep-dish pizza often includes layers of mozzarella cheese, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and vegetables, but the possibilities are endless.
Enjoy your Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza with family and friends for a taste of Chicago no matter where you are!