Get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Homemade Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza recipe! With its buttery crust, layers of gooey mozzarella, bold tomato sauce, and savory toppings, this pizza is a true crowd-pleaser.

Perfect for family dinners or weekend treats, it brings the iconic deep-dish experience straight to your kitchen. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, this recipe is bound to become a favorite in your household!

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

3¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup yellow cornmeal
1½ teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
1¼ cups water, room temperature
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon + 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

For the Sauce:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup grated onion
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
¼ teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper

For the Toppings:

1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 4 cups)
Pepperoni
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Step 1: Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add ¼ cup grated onion, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and ¼ teaspoon sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 3: Reduce heat to low and let the sauce cook for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Set aside to cool.

Step 4: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Roll out your prepared dough (from a separate dough recipe) into a 14-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a greased 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pressing the dough against the sides to form a crust.

Step 5: Spread 1 pound (4 cups) of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough base. Layer pepperoni slices over the cheese or add your favorite toppings.

Step 6: Spoon the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the toppings, spreading it to the edges. Sprinkle ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese on top of the sauce.

Step 7: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Let the pizza cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing to allow it to set.

Tips:

Use a Deep Dish Pizza Pan: Make sure you have a deep dish pizza pan or a cast-iron skillet to achieve that iconic deep dish shape.

Layer Ingredients: Layer your toppings with cheese on the bottom, then meat or vegetables, and top it all off with a rich tomato sauce.

Don’t Overload: Be careful not to overload your pizza with toppings, as this can make the crust soggy. Keep a good balance.

Prebake the Crust: Partially prebake the crust for about 10-15 minutes to prevent it from becoming too doughy when filled.

Let It Rest: Allow your pizza to rest for a few minutes after baking. This helps the flavors settle and makes it easier to slice.

FAQs:

1. What’s the difference between Chicago-style and regular pizza?

Chicago-style pizza is known for its deep, thick crust, and the order of ingredient layering. The crust is more like a pie crust, and the cheese often goes on the bottom with sauce on top.

2. Can I use a regular pizza dough recipe for deep-dish pizza?

Deep-dish pizza typically requires a different dough recipe that’s more buttery and slightly sweeter than traditional pizza dough.

3. How long should I bake a deep-dish pizza?

Bake your deep-dish pizza for about 30-35 minutes at 425°F (220°C), but keep an eye on it as oven temperatures can vary.

4. What are the best toppings for Chicago-style deep-dish pizza?

You can choose from a variety of toppings, but classics include Italian sausage, green bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms.

5. Can I make a vegetarian or vegan Chicago-style deep-dish pizza?

Absolutely! You can use plant-based ingredients for a vegetarian or vegan version. Swap out cheese and choose your favorite plant-based toppings.

6. How do I reheat deep-dish pizza?

To reheat deep dish pizza, place it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until it’s heated through.

7. What’s the best way to slice a deep-dish pizza?

Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to slice deep-dish pizza into wedges, and serve it with a spatula.

Enjoy your homemade Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza!

Homemade Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza

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Ingredients

For the Dough:

3¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup yellow cornmeal
1½ teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
1¼ cups water room temperature
3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
1 teaspoon + 4 tablespoons olive oil divided

For the Sauce:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup grated onion
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
2 garlic cloves minced
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
¼ teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper

For the Toppings:

1 pound mozzarella cheese shredded (about 4 cups)
Pepperoni
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add ¼ cup grated onion, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and ¼ teaspoon sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Step 3: Reduce heat to low and let the sauce cook for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Set aside to cool.
Step 4: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Roll out your prepared dough (from a separate dough recipe) into a 14-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a greased 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pressing the dough against the sides to form a crust.
Step 5: Spread 1 pound (4 cups) of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough base. Layer pepperoni slices over the cheese or add your favorite toppings.
Step 6: Spoon the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the toppings, spreading it to the edges. Sprinkle ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese on top of the sauce.
Step 7: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Let the pizza cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing to allow it to set.