Description
Indulgent Chicago-style deep-dish pizza pie offers a delectable journey through layers of melted cheese, robust tomato sauce, and savory toppings. Crisp buttery crust and hearty fillings provide comfort for pizza enthusiasts seeking a memorable culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup (120 ml) warm water
- ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 cups (225 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (75 g) cooked Italian sausage or pepperoni
- ½ cup (75 g) sliced mushrooms or diced bell peppers
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: Blend flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate warm water, milk, olive oil, and melted butter, mixing until a unified dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 7-8 minutes, creating a smooth, elastic consistency.
- Proofing and Sauce Creation: Let the dough rise in a greased container, covered, for 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size. Simultaneously, craft the sauce by sautéing garlic in olive oil, then adding crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until rich and thickened.
- Crust and Layering: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Oil a deep-dish pan and carefully stretch the dough to cover bottom and sides. Layer mozzarella and Parmesan cheese as the base, then distribute sausage or pepperoni evenly across the surface.
- Sauce and Finishing: Pour the prepared tomato sauce over the toppings, ensuring complete coverage. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the crust turns golden and cheese becomes bubbly and slightly crisp.
- Serving: Rest the pizza for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Slice and plate with a complementary side like a fresh salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Dough Hydration Matters: Adjust water and milk quantities slightly based on flour type and humidity to achieve perfect dough elasticity and prevent dryness or stickiness.
- Proofing Precision: Place dough in a warm, draft-free area like near a preheated oven to ensure optimal rising and develop complex flavors.
- Cheese Layer Strategy: Spread cheese directly on the crust before sauce to create a moisture barrier, preventing soggy bottom and maintaining crisp texture.
- Temperature Control: Use a pizza stone or preheated cast-iron pan for extra crispiness and even heat distribution, elevating the crust’s golden-brown finish.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4 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