If you’re a fan of thick, buttery crust, layers of gooey cheese, savory tomato sauce, and hearty toppings, then Chicago-style deep dish pizza is a must-try. This iconic dish hails from the Windy City and is beloved by pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Unlike traditional thin-crust pizzas, deep-dish pizza is baked in a tall, round pan, creating a crispy, golden crust that perfectly holds a mountain of delicious ingredients. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of making the perfect Chicago-style deep dish pizza at home, from preparing the dough to layering the ingredients and baking it to perfection.
What is Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza?
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about what sets Chicago-style deep dish pizza apart from other pizza styles. Unlike New York-style pizza, which has a thin, foldable crust, deep-dish pizza is characterized by its thick, buttery crust, baked in a deep pan to create a high edge that holds generous layers of cheese, toppings, and a chunky tomato sauce. The cheese is placed at the bottom, followed by toppings, and finally, the sauce—this prevents the cheese from burning during the longer baking time.
Ingredients for the Perfect Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
For the Dough:
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup yellow cornmeal
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant rapid-rise yeast
- 2 teaspoons white sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons table salt
- 1 ¼ cups room-temperature water
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
- Olive oil (for greasing)
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes with juices
- ½ teaspoon white sugar
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Toppings:
- 1 pound (approximately 4 cups) freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage, browned and crumbled
- 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
1. Prepare the Dough
The crust is the foundation of Chicago-style deep dish pizza, and getting it right is essential.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Add the water and melted butter, mixing until a dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
2. Prepare the Sauce
A rich, flavorful tomato sauce is key to an authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza.
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the minced onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer the sauce for about 30 minutes, allowing it to thicken and develop rich flavors.
3. Assemble the Pizza
Now comes the fun part—putting everything together!
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a rectangle.
- Spread the softened butter over the surface of the dough.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log, starting from the short side.
- Cut the log in half and form each half into a ball. Let them rest for 15 minutes.
- Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with olive oil.
- Press each dough ball into the bottom and up the sides of the pans to create a thick crust.
- Layer the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough.
- Add the browned sausage over the cheese.
- Pour the prepared tomato sauce over the toppings.
- Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.
4. Bake the Pizza
- Place the assembled pizzas in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Allow the pizzas to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
FAQs About Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
1. What makes Chicago-style deep dish pizza different?
Unlike traditional pizzas, deep-dish pizza has a thick, buttery crust, with cheese at the bottom, toppings in the middle, and chunky tomato sauce on top.
2. Can I use store-bought dough for deep-dish pizza?
Yes, but homemade dough provides the best flavor and texture. Store-bought dough may lack the buttery, flaky consistency of authentic deep-dish pizza.
3. What’s the best cheese for deep-dish pizza?
Mozzarella is the classic choice, but you can mix in provolone or cheddar for extra flavor.
4. Can I make this pizza ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the pizza, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
5. How do I store and reheat leftover deep-dish pizza?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 10-15 minutes to retain its crispy crust.
Conclusion
Making Chicago-style deep dish pizza at home is easier than you think, and the results are absolutely worth it. With its thick, buttery crust, layers of melty mozzarella, savory sausage, and rich tomato sauce, this pizza is a true comfort food masterpiece. Whether you’re a long-time deep-dish lover or trying it for the first time, this recipe will help you create an authentic and delicious version of this Chicago classic. Enjoy your homemade deep-dish pizza, and don’t forget to share it with friends and family!