Homemade Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Recipe for Ultimate Satisfaction

Pizza enthusiasts adore this authentic chicago style deep dish pizza that promises a culinary adventure right in your kitchen.

Thick, buttery crusts cradle layers of melted cheese and zesty sauce like a delicious edible treasure.

Crisp edges and substantial fillings make this dish stand out from traditional pie styles.

Neighborhoods across illinois have perfected this iconic recipe through generations of passionate cooking.

Local chefs understand the delicate balance between crispy exterior and luscious interior that defines true chicago pizzas.

Crafting this meal connects you with windy city traditions and creates memorable dining experiences.

You’ll become a pizza maestro after mastering these delectable techniques that guarantee restaurant-quality results at home.

Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza That Hits the Spot

• Master an iconic Chicago-style pizza that transforms home cooking into a gourmet adventure, perfect for impressing friends and family with professional-level culinary skills.
• Easily swap ingredients like switching sausage for pepperoni or adding extra vegetables, making this recipe wonderfully adaptable to personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Create a showstopping meal that turns an ordinary weekend into a special occasion, delivering restaurant-quality deep dish pizza right from your own kitchen without expensive takeout costs.
• Prepare components ahead of time like sauce and dough, allowing flexible cooking that fits busy schedules while still delivering a delicious, homemade meal everyone will love.

What You Need to Make Chicago Deep Dish at Home

• Warm Water: Activates yeast and helps develop dough structure.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast for proper fermentation.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for dough rising and flavor development.
• All-Purpose Flour: Base for creating pizza dough, choose unbleached for best results.
• Salt: Enhances dough flavor and controls yeast growth.
• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps create smooth dough texture.

• Italian Sausage: Provides hearty flavor and main protein component, choose fresh ground sausage.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Creates creamy, melty texture, select whole milk variety for better stretching.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty flavor, use freshly grated for best taste.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Base for pizza sauce, authentic and chunky texture.
• Tomato Paste: Thickens sauce and intensifies tomato flavor.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to sauce.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic flavor base.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and greasing pan.
• Oregano: Classic pizza herb for traditional flavor.
• Basil: Fresh herb that adds brightness to sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for heat.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Optional garnish for fresh finish.

Baking Instructions for a Thick and Cheesy Deep Dish Pizza

Step 1: Kickstart the Dough Magic

• Warm water
• Sugar
• Active dry yeast

Combine ingredients and let sit until frothy.

• Flour
• Salt
• Olive oil

Add yeast mixture and knead on a floured surface until smooth and elastic.

Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with damp towel, and let rise until doubled in size.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Filling

Brown Italian sausage in a skillet with olive oil.

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

• Crushed tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Oregano
• Basil
• Red pepper flakes

Simmer sauce until thickened.

Step 3: Build Your Pizza Masterpiece

Warm oven to 425F.

Prepare deep dish pan with olive oil and optional cornmeal.

Roll out dough, pressing into pan’s bottom and sides.

• Mozzarella cheese
• Cooked sausage mixture
• Additional cheese
• Tomato sauce

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide pizza into preheated oven.

Bake until crust turns golden and cheese bubbles.

Rest pizza for 10 minutes.

Slice and serve with optional fresh basil garnish.

Tips for a Crisp Crust and Fully Cooked Center

• Boost Yeast Activation: Ensure water is lukewarm (not hot) to prevent killing the yeast, creating a perfect rise for your pizza dough.
• Knead with Care: Develop gluten by kneading thoroughly, but avoid overworking the dough to maintain a tender, flaky crust.
• Layer Strategically: Place cheese directly on the dough to create a protective barrier, preventing the crust from getting soggy from sauce and toppings.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Simmer sauce longer for a thicker, more concentrated flavor that won't make the pizza watery.
• Customize Your Pie: Swap Italian sausage with vegetarian alternatives like plant-based crumbles or roasted vegetables for dietary preferences.

Reheating and Storage Advice for Deep Dish Pizza Leftovers

• Store leftover pizza in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacteria growth.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Place pizza slices on a baking sheet and cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-12 minutes until cheese melts and crust crisps.
• Revive pizza in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Cover with a lid to trap steam and heat for 3-4 minutes, creating a crispy bottom and melted top.
• Skip microwave reheating as it makes the crust soggy and ruins the pizza's texture. Stick to oven or skillet methods for best results.

What Drinks and Sides Go with Deep Dish Pizza

• Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich, savory sausage and tomato sauce, cutting through the cheese's richness with its acidity.
• Select a robust craft beer such as an amber ale or Italian-style lager that stands up to the deep dish's hearty flavors, enhancing the spicy sausage and melted cheese notes.
• Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the pizza's heaviness, adding a refreshing counterpoint with its peppery greens and tangy dressing.
• Serve sparkling water with a slice of lemon to help cleanse the palate between bites, offering a refreshing break from the pizza's intense flavors and helping digest the rich meal.

Variations for This Deep Dish Creation

• Gluten-Free Deep Dish: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture. Use gluten-free sausage and check sauce ingredients for gluten content.
• Vegetarian Chicago Style: Swap sausage with plant-based ground meat or roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms. Add extra cheese for protein and flavor.
• Low-Carb Pizza Alternative: Create a cauliflower crust instead of traditional dough. Use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of sausage. Top with reduced-fat cheese and low-carb vegetables.
• Vegan Deep Dish Version: Use dairy-free cheese alternatives like cashew or almond-based cheese. Replace meat with crumbled tofu or tempeh. Incorporate nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor and extra nutrients.

Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Chicago’s legendary Deep Dish Pizza brings hearty Midwestern comfort to your kitchen, blending thick, buttery crust with layers of melted cheese and zesty tomato sauce. Slice into this authentic culinary treasure that promises to satisfy serious pizza cravings and transport you straight to the Windy City’s classic pizzerias.

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Ingredients

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Dough Ingredients:

• 3 ¼ cups (400 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (115 g) cornmeal
• 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 ¼ cups (300 ml) warm water
• ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
• ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted

Cheese and Meat Ingredients:

• 2 cups (225 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup (60 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 300 g (10 ounces) Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
• ½ cup (50 g) pepperoni slices

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 can (28 ounces / 800 g) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Extra grated Parmesan
• Fresh basil leaves

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Instructions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water with sugar, allowing the mixture to become foamy and activate for approximately 5 minutes.
2. Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, creating a well in the center for the yeast mixture and olive oil.
3. Knead the dough thoroughly on a lightly floured surface until it transforms into a smooth, elastic consistency with a silky texture.
4. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, covering it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm environment until it doubles in volume, approximately 1-1.5 hours.
5. Brown Italian sausage in a skillet, rendering out excess fat and creating a rich, caramelized exterior.
6. Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic into the sausage, sautéing until the vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
7. Develop a robust tomato sauce by combining crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and optional red pepper flakes, simmering until the mixture thickens and intensifies in flavor.
8. Prepare a 9-inch deep-dish pizza pan by generously coating with olive oil and optionally dusting with cornmeal for enhanced crispiness.
9. Punch down the risen dough and stretch it carefully to line the entire pan, pressing the dough up the sides to create a deep, sturdy crust.
10. Create strategic layers beginning with mozzarella cheese, followed by the seasoned sausage and vegetable mixture, then additional cheese and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
11. Ladle the richly developed tomato sauce over the cheese layers, ensuring an even distribution across the pizza.
12. Bake in a preheated 425°F oven, allowing the crust to turn golden and the cheese to bubble and melt for 30-40 minutes.
13. Allow the pizza to rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps set the layers and makes slicing easier.
14. Optionally garnish with fresh basil leaves to add a bright, aromatic finish to the deep-dish creation.

Notes

• Activate yeast precisely with water between 100-110°F to ensure proper fermentation and rise without killing the yeast.
• Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating that signature chewy Chicago-style pizza crust with a robust texture.
• Use high-protein bread flour for a stronger, more elastic dough that can withstand the heavy toppings and long baking time.
• Optional cornmeal sprinkle on the pan creates an extra crispy bottom crust, enhancing the traditional deep-dish pizza experience.
• Drain excess sausage fat to prevent a greasy pizza and maintain a balanced, rich flavor profile.
• Layer cheese directly on the dough before sauce to prevent a soggy crust and create a delicious protective barrier.
• Allow pizza to rest after baking, which helps set the layers and makes slicing cleaner and more precise.
• For gluten-free adaptation, substitute bread flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better structure.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like adding provolone or fontina for a more complex flavor depth.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg