Making homemade Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is a delicious and satisfying endeavor. This style of pizza is known for its thick, buttery crust, layers of cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make your own deep-dish pizza:
Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the filling:
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef (cooked and crumbled)
- 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Pour the yeast mixture and melted butter into the dry ingredients and mix to form a dough.
- Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and green bell pepper and sauté until they become soft and translucent.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, allowing it to thicken. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Assemble the Pizza:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Take a deep-dish pizza pan (or a cast-iron skillet) and grease it with some olive oil.
- Press the risen dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
- Layer half of the mozzarella cheese on the bottom of the crust.
- Add the cooked sausage or ground beef as the next layer.
- Follow with the sautéed onion and green bell pepper mixture.
- Sprinkle half of the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the ingredients.
- Finish with the remaining mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan.
- Baking:
- Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned on top.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before slicing. The longer it cools, the easier it will be to slice without the toppings oozing out.
Enjoy your homemade Chicago-style deep-dish pizza! It’s a hearty and flavorful treat that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends.