Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza (Print version)

A sturdy, buttery deep dish pizza with mozzarella on the bottom, sausage in the middle, and chunky tomato sauce on top.

# Ingredients:

For the crust

01 - 3 cups (390 g) all-purpose flour
02 - 1/3 cup (45 g) yellow cornmeal
03 - 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
06 - 1 cup (240 ml) warm water
07 - 1/3 cup (80 ml) corn oil or vegetable oil
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, for the pan

For the sauce

09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
11 - 1 can (28 oz or 794 g) whole peeled tomatoes, drained and crushed
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon sugar
15 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

For the filling

16 - 12 oz (340 g) sliced low-moisture whole milk mozzarella
17 - 8 oz (225 g) raw Italian sausage, casing removed
18 - 1/2 cup (50 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Whisk the flour, cornmeal, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the warm water and oil, then stir until a shaggy dough forms. Knead by hand for about 1 minute, just until combined.
02 - Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until puffy and nearly doubled, about 90 minutes.
03 - Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then stir in crushed drained tomatoes, oregano, salt, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until thick.
04 - Heat the oven to 425 F with a rack in the lowest position. Butter a 12-inch deep dish pizza pan or cast iron skillet, coating the bottom and sides well.
05 - Press the dough into the pan and about 1 1/2 inches up the sides. Keep the side walls thinner than the base so they bake through.
06 - Cover the bottom with mozzarella slices. Pinch small pieces of raw sausage over the cheese, spoon the thick tomato sauce over the sausage, and sprinkle with Parmesan.
07 - Bake for 28-32 minutes, until the crust is deeply golden and the sauce is bubbling. Rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then loosen the edges, lift out, garnish with basil if using, and slice.

# Good to know:

01 - Makes one 12-inch deep dish pizza.
02 - Prep time includes the dough rise.
03 - Rest before slicing so the cheese and sauce set.

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