Easy Homemade Chikago Deep Dish Pizza Recipe
A crispy, thick-crust pizza baked in a cast iron pan, topped with homemade tomato sauce and homemade spiced pork sausage.
Equipment
- 1 Stand mixer or food processor
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 2 baking sheets
- 1 Rolling Pin
- 1 23-25 cm (9-10 inch) cast iron pan (or cake pan)
- 1 Medium saucepan
- 1 Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the Dough :
- 3 (¼) cups (450 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (40 g) cornmeal
- 3 tsp (12 g) sugar
- 3 tsp (15 g) salt
- ¼ cup (275 g) warm water (85°F / 29°C)
- 8 tbsp (110 g / 1 stick) butter, cubed
- 3 tsp (9 g) yeast
For the Sauce :
- 1 can (800 g / 28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- ¼ red onion, grated
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
- 2 tbsp (40 g) tomato paste
- 1 tbsp (10 g) sugar
- ½ tsp (1 g) dried basil
- ½ tsp (1 g) dried oregano
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp (5 g) salt
For the Homemade Sausage :
- 1 lb (450 g) fatty ground pork
- 1.5 tsp (7 g) salt
- 1 tsp (5 g) sugar
- 1 tsp (3 g) paprika
- ½ tsp (1 g) dried sage
- ½ tsp (1 g) black pepper
- 1.5 tsp (5 g) red wine vinegar
- ½ tsp (1 g) red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp (1 g) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (2 g) fennel seeds, toasted and crushed
For Assembly :
- Cheese (mozzarella), to taste
- Homemade tomato sauce (see above)
- Crumbled homemade sausage (see above)
- Red pepper flakes
- Grated parmesan
Instructions
The Dough :
- Mix the dry ingredients (flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt) in a stand mixer. Add the cubed butter and mix until the mixture is even and sandy in texture.
- While the mixer is running, slowly stream in the warm water until the dough comes together smoothly. Mix for a total of 30 to 40 seconds.
- Transfer to a bowl and let rise for 90 minutes.
- Divide into 2 equal portions and shape into loose rounds. Transfer to an oiled baking sheet and cover with another baking sheet.
- Let rise for 1 hour. Roll out each portion into a 30 cm (12-inch) circle. Oil a 23-25 cm (9-10 inch) cast iron pan (linked below) or cake pan with 3 tbsp olive oil, then place the rolled dough inside to shape the pizza.
The Sauce :
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the onion, garlic, and salt; sauté until translucent and just starting to brown.
- Add the tomato paste and cook for 30 to 40 seconds, until it turns a deep rust color.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, sugar, and dried herbs. Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring often. Let cool before using on the pizza.
The Sausage :
- Mix all the sausage ingredients together.
- Cook off a small test portion to taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Assembly & Baking :
- On the shaped dough in the pan, layer the sauce, crumbled sausage, cheese, and red pepper flakes. Finish with parmesan.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 30 to 40 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.