Craving a slice of authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza? This classic pizza is famous for its thick, buttery crust, layers of gooey cheese, and rich, chunky tomato sauce. Unlike traditional pizza, deep dish is built in reverse—cheese first, followed by toppings, then sauce—for an unforgettable bite every time.
Making deep dish pizza at home may seem intimidating, but this recipe breaks it down step by step so you can create an authentic, restaurant-quality pizza right in your kitchen. Whether you’re a pizza lover, hosting a game night, or just want to impress family and friends, this recipe is a must-try!
Why You Will Love Making This Recipe
- Authentic Taste: This homemade version replicates Chicago’s iconic deep dish pizza.
- Buttery, Flaky Crust: The secret is in the laminated dough technique for that perfect crunch.
- Layers of Flavor: Cheese, toppings, and a bold, tangy tomato sauce create a well-balanced bite.
- Perfect for Sharing: This pizza is thick, hearty, and filling—great for family meals.
- Customizable: Load it up with your favorite toppings, from classic sausage to fresh veggies.
Once you try making Chicago-style deep dish pizza at home, you’ll never settle for store-bought again!
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
For the Toppings:
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Equipment Used:
- Deep dish pizza pan (or cast iron skillet)
- Rolling pin
- Mixing bowls
- Saucepan
- Pizza cutter
Directions & Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, salt, sugar, and yeast.
- Add warm water and melted butter, mixing until combined.
- Knead for about 5 minutes until dough is smooth.
- Let rise in a greased bowl for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
2. Make the Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Sauté onions until soft, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Assemble the Pizza:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Roll out dough and press into a deep dish pizza pan.
- Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the dough.
- Add cooked sausage or toppings of choice.
- Pour the tomato sauce over the top and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake & Serve:
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until crust is golden brown.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutritional Information
Per slice:
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fat: 20g
- Sodium: 700mg
This deep dish pizza is rich, indulgent, and perfect for a special treat!
Prep Time and Cook Time:
- Prep Time: 2 hours (including dough rising)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Variations:
- Vegetarian: Swap sausage for mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers.
- Extra Cheesy: Add cheddar or provolone for more flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Mix in red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Store in the fridge for up to 24 hours before using.
2. What’s the best cheese for deep dish pizza?
Mozzarella is classic, but adding provolone or Parmesan enhances flavor.
3. Can I use a regular pizza pan?
Deep dish requires a tall-sided pan to hold the layers properly.
Pro Tips By Lyndy
- Use room-temperature cheese to prevent a watery pizza.
- Par-bake the crust for extra crispiness.
- Let the pizza rest before slicing for clean cuts.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a Caesar salad and garlic bread.
- Serve with a side of marinara for dipping.
- Enjoy with a cold beer or soda for the ultimate pizza night!
How to Make Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza at Home
Craving a slice of authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza? This classic pizza is famous for its thick, buttery crust, layers of gooey cheese, and rich, chunky tomato sauce
- Deep dish pizza pan (or cast iron skillet)
- Rolling pin
- Mixing bowls
- Saucepan
- Pizza cutter
For the Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can (28 oz crushed tomatoes)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
For the Toppings:
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (cooked and crumbled (optional))
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, salt, sugar, and yeast.
- Add warm water and melted butter, mixing until combined.
- Knead for about 5 minutes until dough is smooth.
- Let rise in a greased bowl for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Make the Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Sauté onions until soft, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Assemble the Pizza:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Roll out dough and press into a deep dish pizza pan.
- Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the dough.
- Add cooked sausage or toppings of choice.
- Pour the tomato sauce over the top and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake & Serve:
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until crust is golden brown.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Use room-temperature cheese to prevent a watery pizza.
Par-bake the crust for extra crispiness.
Let the pizza rest before slicing for clean cuts.