The Ultimate Deep Dish Pizza Recipe for a Perfect Chicago-Style Pie

If you’re craving a slice of thick, cheesy heaven, this is the deep dish pizza recipe you’ve been waiting for. With its buttery crust, rich tomato sauce, and gooey layers of cheese, this Chicago-style classic is more than just pizza—it’s a hearty, flavor-packed experience. Ready to bring this iconic dish to your kitchen? Let’s dive in.

Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

Description

Imagine sinking your fork into a mile-high slice of deep dish pizza—each bite a rich mosaic of buttery crust, tangy tomato sauce, gooey cheese, and hearty toppings that warm your soul. This Chicago-style classic is more like a savory pie than your usual pizza, boasting bold layers that satisfy hunger and comfort cravings like a soft blanket on a chilly night.

The golden crust is crisp on the outside yet tender inside, building the perfect foundation for layers of melty mozzarella, zesty Italian sausage, and vibrant homemade tomato sauce. It is the kind of dish that steals the spotlight at family dinners, game day feasts, or cozy date nights. Whether you are a native Chicagoan or a curious foodie, making this pie from scratch will transport your tastebuds to the Windy City with every decadent slice.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This deep dish pizza recipe brings the classic Midwestern favorite to your own kitchen with easy-to-follow steps and accessible ingredients. You will love how customizable it is—perfect with sausage and pepperoni or packed with your favorite veggies like mushrooms and spinach.

Not only is this dish downright delicious, but it is also great for feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers through the week. With a make-ahead dough and freezer-friendly instructions, it is a practical yet indulgent recipe that will become a treasured staple in your rotation.

Serving and Storage Tips

Deep dish pizza is best served hot straight from the oven, with that cheese pull still warm and stretchy. If you have leftovers, store slices tightly wrapped or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, use a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for 10 to 15 minutes to restore the crust’s crispness. You can also freeze the cooked pizza slices for up to 2 months. Wrap each slice in foil and store in a freezer bag. For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The dough can also be made a day ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.

Ingredients

• 2 and 1 fourth cups all purpose flour
• 1 fourth cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 package instant dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup sliced pepperoni
• 1 small green bell pepper chopped
• 1 small onion chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 can 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 half teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Equipment

• 9 inch deep dish pizza pan or cake pan
• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Stand mixer with dough hook or wooden spoon
• Rolling pin
• Medium saucepan
• Spatula
• Skillet

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and yeast. Stir in melted butter, olive oil, and warm water. Mix with a spoon or dough hook until a shaggy dough forms.
2. Step 2: Knead for 6 to 8 minutes, either by hand or in a mixer, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. It should spring back when gently poked.
3. Step 3: Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm corner of your kitchen for 1 hour or until doubled in size. A sunny windowsill works perfectly.
4. Step 4: While the dough rises, start your sauce. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium. Add garlic and sauté for about a minute until fragrant but not browned.
5. Step 5: Stir in crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper, and basil. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 20 minutes until slightly thickened. This sauce smells like home.
6. Step 6: In a separate skillet, heat olive oil and cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles. Cook until browned. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
7. Step 7: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. This is important for a golden crust and bubbling hot filling.
8. Step 8: Roll the risen dough into a circle about 12 inches wide. Press it carefully into a greased deep dish pan, ensuring the sides are fully covered and come up about 2 inches high.
9. Step 9: Layer the fillings: start with mozzarella cheese, then spoon in the cooked sausage, pepperoni, chopped peppers, and onions. Sprinkle oregano on top for that signature Italian aroma.
10. Step 10: Spoon the tomato sauce evenly over everything. Finish with grated Parmesan. The sauce goes on top, not underneath the cheese like traditional pizza—this is key to deep dish style.
11. Step 11: Bake on the lowest oven rack for 35 to 45 minutes. The crust should be golden and firm, and the sauce should be bubbling right up to the edges.
12. Step 12: Let the pizza rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting. This allows everything to set and makes slicing a dream.

Nutrition per Serving

For extra flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan and do not skip the cornmeal in the dough—it adds that iconic crunch. Leftovers keep well for 2 days in the fridge or can be frozen for future cozy nights.

FAQ

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Deep Dish Pizza

Chicago-style deep dish pizza with a buttery, golden crust, layers of gooey mozzarella, zesty Italian sausage, pepperoni, sweet bell peppers, onions, and a vibrant homemade tomato sauce. Perfect for feeding a crowd or treating yourself to ultimate comfort food.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 620 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 package instant dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for filling
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup sliced pepperoni
• 1 small green bell pepper chopped
• 1 small onion chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for sauce
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 can 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon sugar for sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt for sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

 

• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add melted butter, olive oil, and warm water. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
• Knead the dough for about 6 to 8 minutes by hand or in a stand mixer with the dough hook until smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
• While the dough rises, make the sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, add olive oil and garlic. Cook for 1 minute, then stir in crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper, and basil. Simmer on low for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and cook the sausage, breaking it into crumbles, until browned. Drain and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C).
• Roll the dough out into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. Press it into your greased 9 inch deep dish pan, pushing it up the sides.
• Begin layering your fillings: first add shredded mozzarella cheese to cover the bottom, then add cooked sausage, pepperoni, green peppers, onion, and dried oregano.
• Pour the tomato sauce over the top and spread evenly. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
• Bake the pizza on the lower rack of your oven for 35 to 45 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
• Let the pizza cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 620kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 38gSodium: 1050mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7g

Keyword Pizza, Deep Dish, Chicago Style, Comfort Food, American, Dinner

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