Description
Hearty Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza delivers a robust culinary adventure straight from Windy City kitchens. Layered with rich tomato sauce, melted cheese, and savory toppings, you’ll savor this iconic comfort classic that turns an ordinary meal into a memorable feast.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (225 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 can (14 ounces / 400 g) crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (75 g) cooked Italian sausage or pepperoni
Crust and Liquid Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) warm water
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) milk
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) instant yeast
Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ cup (75 g) sliced mushrooms or diced bell peppers (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Craft a foundational dough by blending flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a spacious mixing vessel. Incorporate warm water, milk, olive oil, and melted butter, stirring until a cohesive mixture emerges. Thoroughly knead the dough on a flour-dusted surface for 7-8 minutes, achieving a silky, elastic consistency.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled container, drape with a kitchen towel, and allow it to proof in a draft-free environment for 1-2 hours, expanding to nearly double its original volume.
- While the dough rises, create a robust tomato sauce by sautéing minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Introduce crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper, simmering gently for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens and develops a rich flavor profile.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Generously coat a deep-dish pan with olive oil, ensuring complete coverage.
- Gently roll the proofed dough into a circular shape, carefully pressing it into the prepared pan. Ensure the dough completely lines the bottom and sides of the pan, creating a sturdy vessel for toppings.
- Layer the base with a generous spread of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Distribute sausage, pepperoni, or selected protein evenly across the cheese foundation.
- Ladle the prepared tomato sauce over the toppings, spreading it uniformly to create a vibrant, glossy surface.
- Slide the pizza into the preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes until the crust transforms into a golden-brown masterpiece and the cheese bubbles enthusiastically.
- Remove from the oven and allow the pizza pie to rest for 5 minutes, permitting the layers to settle and cool slightly. Slice and serve alongside a crisp salad or warm garlic bread.
Notes
- Opt for bread flour to achieve a chewier, more robust crust that holds up well to hefty toppings and dense sauce.
- Cold-proof the dough overnight in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor development and improved texture.
- Use a kitchen scale for precise ingredient measurements, ensuring consistent dough quality every time.
- Prebake the crust for 5-7 minutes before adding toppings to prevent a soggy bottom and create a crispier foundation.
- Experiment with alternative cheese blends like fontina, provolone, or ricotta for unique flavor profiles and creamy textures.
- For a vegetarian version, swap meat toppings with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini.
- Drain excess moisture from fresh mozzarella to prevent a watery pizza and maintain a perfectly crisp crust.
- Sprinkle cornmeal on the pan before placing the dough for an extra crispy and golden bottom crust.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg