The Perfect Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Recipe for Pizza Lovers

Crafting an authentic chicago deep dish pizza requires passion and precision that turns ordinary ingredients into culinary magic.

Layers of rich tomato sauce and melted cheese create a hearty canvas for your favorite toppings.

Cheese lovers will appreciate the generous portions nestled between thick, buttery crust.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike find joy in mastering this iconic dish.

Regional pride shines through every carefully assembled slice of this legendary meal.

Comfort and tradition merge in a single, satisfying bite that connects you to italian-american culinary heritage.

Let’s uncover the secrets behind this legendary chicago staple that promises to delight and surprise.

Classic Deep Pizza Pie: What Makes It Legendary

• Craft with Ease: Perfect for home cooks with basic skills, this deep pizza pie recipe walks you through simple steps anyone can master.
• Quick Family Feast: Packed with hearty ingredients like sausage and cheese, this dish brings everyone together for a delicious shared meal that satisfies hungry appetites.
• Weekend Comfort Classic: Transforms ordinary ingredients into a spectacular centerpiece that feels like a gourmet restaurant experience right in your own kitchen, making ordinary days feel special.
• Customizable Delight: Flexible recipe allows switching meats, adjusting cheese types, or adding favorite vegetables, giving home chefs creative freedom to make the dish uniquely theirs.

Classic Deep Pizza Pie: Ingredients Lineup

• Flour: Provides the fundamental structure for the pizza dough.
• Yeast: Helps the dough rise and creates a soft, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the pizza dough.
• Olive Oil: Adds moisture and richness to the dough.
• Water: Activates the yeast and helps bind the dough ingredients.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and promotes better rising.

• Sausage: Adds a rich, meaty flavor to the pizza.
• Onion: Provides a savory and slightly sweet undertone.
• Garlic: Contributes a deep, aromatic flavor to the filling.

• Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Create a classic, tangy pizza sauce base.
• Herbs: Add depth and traditional Italian seasoning to the sauce.
• Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Provide creamy, rich, and tangy flavor layers.
• Butter: Adds a luxurious finish and helps create a golden crust.

Classic Deep Pizza Pie: Stepwise Pizza-Making

Step 1: Awaken Yeast

Sprinkle yeast into warm water with a pinch of sugar.

Watch the mixture transform and become frothy, indicating the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic in your pizza dough.

Step 2: Create Dough Foundation

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Olive oil
• Activated yeast mixture

Stir until ingredients form a shaggy, cohesive mass.

Step 3: Develop Dough Texture

Transfer dough to a clean surface.

Knead vigorously for 6-8 minutes, pushing and folding to develop gluten and create a smooth, elastic texture.

The dough should feel soft and springy.

Step 4: Allow Dough Transformation

Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel.

Let it rest in a warm spot for 60-90 minutes until it doubles in size, developing rich flavor and airy structure.

Step 5: Craft Savory Filling

In a skillet, brown ground sausage with finely chopped onions and minced garlic.

Break meat into small crumbles, creating a rich, flavorful base for your pizza.

Step 6: Simmer Robust Sauce

Combine crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme.

Let the sauce simmer and reduce, concentrating its vibrant flavors.

Step 7: Shape Pizza Canvas

Gently stretch and press dough into a deep dish pan, creating a thick, sturdy crust that will hold abundant toppings.

Step 8: Build Flavor Layers

• Mozzarella cheese
• Cooked sausage mixture
• Tomato sauce
• Grated parmesan

Step 9: Add Final Touches

Sprinkle additional mozzarella on top and dot with small butter pieces for extra richness.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Slide pizza into a preheated oven at 425°F.

Bake until crust turns golden brown and cheese bubbles magnificently, approximately 35-40 minutes.

Pizza Pie: Tips for Perfect Layers

• Use lukewarm water between 100-110°F to help yeast bloom without killing it.
• Work dough on a floured surface and avoid overworking to keep crust tender and soft.
• Pat meat and vegetables dry before adding to prevent soggy pizza bottom.
• Mix mozzarella with provolone for richer, more complex flavor profile.
• Preheat pizza pan in the oven to create a crispy, golden bottom crust.

Fresh Pizza Pie Combinations

• Gluten-Free Deep Dish: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend flour, ensuring same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegetarian Chicago Style: Swap meat with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, creating a hearty plant-based alternative.
• Low-Carb Pizza Pie: Use cauliflower crust instead of traditional dough, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining rich pizza flavors.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute regular cheese with vegan mozzarella or cashew-based cheese alternatives, perfect for lactose-intolerant individuals.

Classic Deep Pizza Pie: Serving Like a Pro

• Pizza Party Platter: Slice the deep dish pizza into smaller wedges, perfect for sharing with friends during game nights or casual gatherings.
• Hearty Side Companion: Pair this rich pizza with a crisp green salad dressed with light vinaigrette to balance the heavy, cheesy flavors.
• Breakfast Transformation: Reheat leftover slices the next morning and top with a sunny-side-up egg for a delicious morning meal.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Serve with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Zinfandel to complement the robust tomato and sausage flavors.

Classic Pizza Pie: Storage That Works

• Store leftover pizza pie in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Slice pizza into portions, wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen pizza maintains quality for 2-3 months.
• Preheat oven to 375F. Place pizza slice on baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent burning. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Place pizza slice in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Cover with lid to trap steam and restore crispiness. Warm for 3-5 minutes until cheese melts and crust crisps.

FAQs

• Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, bread flour works great for deep dish pizza. It has higher protein content which helps create a chewier, more structured crust with better rise.

• How do I know if my yeast is still active?

Proof the yeast by mixing it with warm water and sugar. If it becomes foamy and bubbly within 5-10 minutes, it’s good to use. If not, discard and get fresh yeast.

• What if my dough isn't rising properly?

Ensure your kitchen is warm (around 75-80°F) and draft-free. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and place it in a slightly warm area like near a preheated oven.

Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty Chicago deep dish pizza brings the Windy City’s legendary culinary tradition right to kitchen counters. Layers of rich cheese, zesty tomato sauce, and buttery crust create a mouthwatering slice you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 4.5 cups mozzarella
• 1.5 cups Parmesan
• 0.5 cup pepperoni
• 28 ounces (794 grams) crushed tomatoes

Dough Ingredients:

• 3.5 cups flour
• 1.5 cups warm water
• 2.14 teaspoons yeast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup onion
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon basil
• 2 tablespoons butter

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Instructions

1. Dissolve yeast with sugar in warm water, allowing it to become frothy and activate for about 5-10 minutes.
2. Blend flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, creating a well in the center. Pour in the activated yeast mixture and olive oil.
3. Knead the dough vigorously on a floured surface for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic, developing gluten structure.
4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm area for approximately 60-75 minutes until doubled in size.
5. Brown ground sausage in a skillet, adding diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until meat is fully cooked and vegetables are translucent.
6. Prepare pizza sauce by combining crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and dried Italian herbs, simmering on low heat for 15-20 minutes to concentrate flavors.
7. Stretch and press dough into a deep dish pan, ensuring even coverage along the bottom and sides, creating a thick crust foundation.
8. Layer shredded mozzarella cheese as the first base, followed by the prepared meat mixture, then generously spread the homemade sauce.
9. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the top and dot with melted butter for added richness.
10. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F for 30-35 minutes until crust turns golden brown and cheese becomes bubbly and slightly crisp.

Notes

• Choose instant yeast for faster proofing and more reliable rising in deep dish pizza dough.
• Keep pizza dough hydration slightly higher than traditional thin crust to ensure soft, tender texture in deep dish style.
• Use cornmeal or semolina on pan bottom for extra crispy, golden crust that prevents sticking and adds subtle crunch.
• Consider making vegetarian version by replacing sausage with roasted mushrooms or plant-based protein crumbles for dietary flexibility.

• Prep Time: 110 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 441
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 738 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 58 mg