Homemade Chicago Pizza

Here’s a fantastic recipe for Homemade Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza, known for its buttery crust, generous layers of cheese, hearty tomato sauce, and toppings that bake up beautifully in each thick slice.

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 2 tsp sugar
• 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornmeal
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (plus more for greasing)

For the Toppings:

• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 lb Italian sausage (cooked and crumbled)
• ½ cup sliced pepperoni (optional)
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms

For the Sauce:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, until frothy.
   • In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornmeal, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and melted butter, then mix until the dough forms.
   • Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes, until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Sauce:
   • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
   • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer on low for about 20 minutes, then set aside.
3. Assemble the Pizza:
   • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a deep-dish pizza pan or cast-iron skillet with butter.
   • Punch down the dough and roll it out into a large circle, around 14 inches wide. Press the dough into the pan, allowing the edges to come up the sides.
   • Layer the mozzarella cheese over the dough first (this helps prevent a soggy crust), then add the sausage, pepperoni, bell pepper, onion, and mushrooms.
4. Add the Sauce:
   • Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the toppings, spreading it out to cover everything.
   • Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake:
   • Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Let the pizza cool for about 10 minutes before slicing.
6. Serve:
   • Slice into hearty pieces, and enjoy your homemade Chicago-style deep-dish pizza!

This recipe captures the delicious, cheesy, and indulgent nature of Chicago’s classic pizza. Enjoy every rich, gooey bite!