Welcome to the realm of deep-dish delight with my homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza recipe! Originating from the windy city itself, this iconic pizza is known for its thick, buttery crust, hearty fillings, and robust tomato sauce.

While it may seem like a daunting task to recreate this culinary masterpiece at home, fear not, for I am here to guide you through every step of the process.

Crafting the perfect Chicago-style pizza requires patience, but the end result is well worth the effort. With a crust that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, topped with layers of gooey cheese, savory Italian sausage, and vibrant veggies, each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures.

Whether you’re hosting a pizza night with friends or simply craving a taste of the Midwest, this recipe is sure to satisfy your deepest pizza cravings. So, roll up your sleeves, preheat your oven, and let’s dive into the world of Chicago-style deep dish pizza together!

Expert Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of toppings to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients

Plain Flour: Provides the base for the dough, giving it structure and a chewy texture.

Salt: Enhances the flavor of the dough and balances the sweetness of the other ingredients.

Yeast (Active Dry): Acts as a leavening agent, causing the dough to rise and become airy.

Sugar: Feeds the yeast, helping it activate and ferment the dough.

Water (Warm): Combines with the yeast to form the dough and activate its rising process.

Olive Oil: Adds richness and moisture to the dough, resulting in a tender crust.

Mozzarella: Melts into gooey, cheesy goodness, providing a creamy base for the toppings.

Italian Sausage: Adds savory depth and richness to the pizza, complementing the other ingredients.

Canned Tomatoes: Form the base of the tomato sauce, providing a sweet and tangy flavor.

Bell Pepper: Adds a pop of color and sweetness to the pizza, balancing the richness of the other ingredients.

Onion: Contributes a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the pizza.

Garlic: Infuses the pizza with aromatic flavor, enhancing the overall taste.

Basil: Provides a fresh, herbaceous flavor that brightens up the dish.

Oregano: Adds earthy, aromatic notes to both the sauce and the filling.

Salt and Black Pepper: Season to taste, ensuring each bite is perfectly seasoned.

Expert Tip: For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5-7 minutes before adding the toppings.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with a crisp green salad dressed in balsamic vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast to the rich pizza.
• Serve alongside a selection of pickled vegetables, such as giardiniera or pepperoncini, for a tangy accompaniment.

Expert Tip: Use high-quality canned tomatoes for the sauce to ensure a rich, flavorful base.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the dough in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before assembling the pizza.

Can I customize the toppings?

Absolutely! Feel free to get creative with your toppings and add your favorite ingredients to make the pizza your own.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

Yes, you can freeze leftover slices of pizza for later enjoyment. Just wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap before freezing.

How do I reheat leftover pizza?

Reheat leftover pizza slices in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.

Can I make this pizza vegetarian?

Yes, you can omit the Italian sausage and customize the toppings with your favorite vegetarian ingredients, such as mushrooms, spinach, or olives.

Check Out These Other Recipes

Here are some more recipes for you to enjoy! If you my recipes don’t forget to rate and leave a comment.

• Margherita Pizza
• Pizza Sauce
• Cheese & Tomato Pizza
• Detroit Style Pizza
• Tortilla Pizza

If you have any recipe suggestions, please do not hesitate to ask me. A great way to stay in contact with me is through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Don’t forget to tag me @CookwithNabeela in your recipe photos!

Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

by Nabeela Kauser

Craving a pizza that's more of a meal than a snack? Dive into the irresistibly gooey, cheesy goodness of a homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza. Perfect for those who love their crust thick and their toppings generous.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Western

Servings 2 9″ Pizzas

Calories 874 kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• ▢ 500 g Plain Flour
• ▢ 2 tsp Salt
• ▢ 7 g Yeast Active dry
• ▢ 2 tsp Sugar
• ▢ 325 ml Water Warm
• ▢ 60 ml Olive Oil

For the Filling:

• ▢ 200 g Mozzarella Shredded
• ▢ 200 g Italian Sausage Cooked and crumbled
• ▢ 200 g Canned Tomatoes Well-drained
• ▢ 1 Bell Pepper Diced
• ▢ 1 Onion Diced
• ▢ 2 cloves Garlic Minced
• ▢ 5-6 Basil Chopped
• ▢ 1 tsp Oregano Dried
• ▢ Salt To taste
• ▢ Black Pepper To taste

For the Tomato Sauce:

• ▢ 200 grams Canned Tomatoes
• ▢ 1 clove Garlic Minced
• ▢ 1 tsp Basil Dried
• ▢ 1 tsp Oregano Dried
• ▢ Salt To taste
• ▢ Black Pepper To taste

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
• Add the olive oil and 2 tsp salt to the yeast mixture.
• Gradually add the flour while mixing until a dough forms.
• Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it proof for 2 hours or until it has doubled in size.

Prepare the Tomato Sauce:

• In a small saucepan, combine the crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Simmer the sauce over low heat for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.

Assemble the Pizza:

• Preheat your oven to 220°C (430°F).
• Grease a deep-dish pizza pan or a cast-iron skillet with olive oil.
• Press the proofed dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan to create a crust.
• Layer half of the mozzarella cheese on the bottom of the crust.
• Add the cooked Italian sausage, diced tomatoes, green bell pepper, onion, minced garlic, chopped basil, and 1 tsp dried oregano evenly over the cheese.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Pour the prepared tomato sauce over the pizza toppings.
• Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
• Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
• Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before slicing.
• Serve hot and enjoy your homemade Chicago-style pizza!

Notes

Feel free to customise your Chicago-style pizza with your favourite toppings.

Make sure to let the pizza rest for a few minutes after baking to make it easier to slice and serve.

Chicago-style pizza is known for its deep-dish crust, so don’t be afraid to press the dough up the sides of the pan to create a substantial crust.

You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it overnight for added flavour.

Nutritional facts:

The provision of nutritional information is done so merely as a courtesy and should not be taken as a guarantee.

Nutrition

Calories: 874kcalCarbohydrates: 116gProtein: 35gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 2119mgPotassium: 726mgFibre: 8gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1566IUVitamin C: 65mgVitamin D: 0.2µgCalcium: 443mgIron: 13mg

Keyword Chicago Style Pizza, Comfort Food, Dinner, Food, Homemade Pizza, Pizza, Recipe

Tried this recipe?Mention @CookwithNabeela or tag #CookwithNabeela!