Chicago deep-dish pizza, also known as Chicago-style pizza, is a unique and iconic American dish that has gained worldwide recognition for its distinctive appearance and unforgettable taste. Originating in the Windy City in the 1940s, this culinary masterpiece is characterized by its thick, buttery crust, layers of flavorful toppings, and an abundance of melted cheese. Unlike traditional thin-crust pizzas, Chicago deep-dish pizza takes on a pie-like form, with a flaky, golden-brown crust that serves as a sturdy vessel for its generous fillings.
This article offers a comprehensive guide to creating authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza at home, including three variations: the classic, vegetarian, and sausage recipes. Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, ensuring successful preparation for pizza enthusiasts of all skill levels. Whether you prefer the gooey, stretchy mozzarella of the classic recipe, the vibrant and colorful array of vegetables in the vegetarian version, or the savory and satisfying combination of sausage, pepperoni, and mozzarella in the sausage recipe, you'll find the perfect deep-dish pizza recipe to satisfy your cravings.
CHICAGO DEEP-DISH PIZZA
Home cooks will find deep-dish pizza, with its unique buttery cornmeal crust, more forgiving than its New York counterpart. No need to worry about having the hottest oven or too many toppings - just make sure your sauce is very thick and flavorful! I garnished mine with parsley and more Parmesan cheese.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pizza Recipes
Time 2h30m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Pour water into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Sprinkle in yeast and let dissolve, about 10 minutes. Add olive oil, melted butter, sugar, salt, cornmeal, and most of the flour. Knead, stopping to scrape down the sides occasionally and adding more flour as needed, until smooth and elastic.
- Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface. Knead in extra flour if needed. Roll into a ball and place in a bowl greased with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil. Cover with a plate and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in volume, 1 to 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, let pizza sauce simmer in a pot over low heat until very thick, 60 to 90 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Poke dough to deflate and turn out onto your work surface. Press and stretch out dough into a round shape 3 to 4 inches larger than a 12-inch cast iron skillet. Brush skillet with 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil. Place dough in the skillet; stretch and pull to evenly distribute it over the bottom and sides.
- Lay provolone cheese over the bottom of the crust. Scatter fresh mozzarella on top. Add Italian sausage and firm mozzarella. Ladle pizza sauce generously on top. Grate Parmesan cheese on top. Fold the edges of the crust in towards the center to seal in the sides. Drizzle crust and center with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Bake in the center of the preheated oven until crust sounds hollow and pizza is beautifully browned, about 35 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 612.5 calories, Carbohydrate 52.6 g, Cholesterol 74.5 mg, Fat 32.4 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 25.4 g, SaturatedFat 14.2 g, Sodium 1486.6 mg, Sugar 4.8 g
CHICAGO STYLE DEEP-DISH PIZZA DOUGH
This recipe comes from the book "Pizza" and is just wonderful. It can be hard to press the pizza up the sides of the pan, but just let the dough rest for a bit first and it should be easier.
Provided by lucid501
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 3h
Yield 1 14, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in1/4 cup of the warm water. Add the sugar and 1/4 cup of the flour and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to combine.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.
- Add the remaining 1 cup warm water and 3 cups flour, the cornmeal, salt, and 1/2 cup olive oil.
- Using a wooden spoon, mix the dough, incorporating as much of the flour as possible.
- Turn the dough out on a lightly floured work surface and knead until soft and elastic, 10 to 12 minutes. It will be a little sticky, but shouldn't stick to your hands.
- Add only a minimum amount of flour to the work surface to keep the dough from sticking.
- Lightly oil a large bowl. Add the dough and turn to coat on all sides.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place a clean, damp, kitchen towel over the top.
- Set the bowl in a warm spot and let rise until doubled in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. (For a slow rise, place the covered bowl in the refrigerator and let rise for 10 to 12 hours, returning dough to room temperature before using).
- When the dough has doubled in volume, punch it down and knead it for 2 to 3 minutes. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of an oiled 14-inch round deep-dish pizza pan.
- Let the dough rise in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Press the dough until it comes 2 inches up the sides and is even on the bottom and at the corners of the pan.
- Proceed with any deep-dish pizza recipe.
THE REAL CHICAGO DEEP DISH PIZZA DOUGH
I have it on good authority that this is the real Deep Dish Pizza Dough that's used in Chicago. The real thing is nothing like bread, or even pizza, dough. It is a buttery, flaky crust that is achieved by: 1) Using corn oil (not butter) and 2) minimal mixing and kneading times. The pizza itself is built with cheese, toppings, and sauce, in that order. I suggest you use 6-in-1 tomatoes which are far superior to other tomato brands. Classico ground tomatoes are very similar. Contrary to popular opinion, cornmeal is not used by the pizzarias in Chicago.
Provided by owensjo
Categories Low Cholesterol
Time 6h30m
Yield 1 10 or 12 inch pizza, 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Add yeast to a mixture of water and sugar and let stand until foamy, about 5-10 minutes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix in stand mixer with paddle attachment for one minute, then knead with hook attachment for no more than two minutes. Dough will be a little sticky. If too sticky to handle, add a little more flour. If too dry, add a little water. Dough should be a little tacky but able to shape into a ball.
- Put dough in a buttered bowl, turn dough buttered side up, cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let rise at room temperature for 6 hours.
- Punch down, then cover and let gluten relax for 10-15 minutes.
- Either roll out or press into and up sides of deep dish pizza pan or even a cast iron skillet. If you are making a 10-inch pizza, fit the dough into the pan at the thickness you like and trim off any excess.
- Add cheese, toppings, and tomatoes (that you've flavored with garlic, basil, oregano, etc.).
- Bake at 450 degrees for 30 minutes, depending on your oven.
- You may want to prebake the crust, if you wish, for about 5-10 minutes.
TRUE CHICAGO-STYLE DEEP-DISH PIZZA
Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King
Time 7h25m
Yield 8 slices
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Mix sugar, yeast and 11 ounces room temperature water (about 80 degrees) in a bowl and let bloom for 15 minutes. Combine flour, salt and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Once yeast has bloomed, add to dry ingredients along with corn oil. Gently combine with a rubber spatula until a rough ball is formed.
- Knead on low speed with the dough hook for 90 seconds. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl and proof until doubled in size, about 6 hours. Punch down and let dough settle for 15 more minutes.
- Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
- Coat bottom and sides of a 12-inch cake pan or traditional Chicago style pizza pan with melted butter. Using your hands, spread out about three-quarters of the dough across the bottom and up the sides of the pan (save the remainder for another use). Cover entire bottom in mozzarella, all the way up to the edge. Cover half with a thin, even layer of raw sausage. Cover the other half with the pepperoni. Top with a couple handfuls of crushed tomatoes. Spread out with hands to the edge. Sprinkle top evenly with grated Parm.
- Bake, rotating halfway through, until golden around the edge, about 25 minutes. Let rest for about 5 minutes, then either gently lift pizza out of pan or just cut your slice out of the pan like a pie!
CHICAGO-STYLE DEEP-DISH PIZZA
My husband and I tried to duplicate the deep-dish pizza recipe from a popular restaurant, and I think our Chicago-style deep-dish pizza turned out even better. The secret is baking it in a cast-iron skillet! -Lynn Hamilton, Naperville, Illinois
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h
Yield 2 pizzas (8 slices each).
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour, cornmeal, yeast, sugar and salt. In a saucepan, heat water and oil to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add remaining flour to form a stiff dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes., Punch dough down; divide in half. Roll each portion into an 11-in. circle. Press dough onto the bottom and up the sides of two greased 10-in. cast-iron or other ovenproof skillets. Sprinkle each with 2 cups mozzarella cheese., In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste and seasonings. Spoon 1-1/2 cups over each pizza. Layer each with half of the sausage, pepperoni and mushrooms; 1 cup mozzarella; and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. , Cover and bake at 450° for 35 minutes. Uncover; bake until lightly browned, about 5 minutes longer.,
Nutrition Facts : Calories 407 calories, Fat 23g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 49mg cholesterol, Sodium 872mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 20g protein.
BOBBY FLAY'S CHICAGO DEEP-DISH PIZZA DOUGH; THROWDOWN RECIPE
This throwdown was with Lou Malnotti and can be found on foodnetwork.com. I didn't include his entire recipe as it would have appeared long and intimidating. This crust is more buttery than normal pizza dough and looked very authentic. Unusual assembly of toppings: the cheese goes UNDER the ingredients and the sauce goes on last.
Provided by Gianni 23
Categories Breads
Time 1h40m
Yield 2 pies, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Dissolve the yeast and water in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the oils and mix for 30 seconds. Add the cornmeal, 3 cups of the flour and salt and
- beat for 5 minutes. Switch to the dough hook and mix in the remaining 2 1/2 cups of flour and knead, using the dough hook for 2 minutes. Add the butter and knead until incorporated. The dough is a very moist dough so do not add more flour unless absolutely needed.
- Place the dough in a large bowl lightly oiled with vegetable oil, cover with plastic wrap or clean kitchen towels and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Punch down the dough and allow to double in size again.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place 2 pizza stones into the oven to preheat as well. Generously oil 2 (9 or 10-inch) deep dish pie pans with olive oil (about 2 tablespoons for each pan).
- Divide the dough in half and press the dough out slightly on the counter top. Place the dough in the prepared pans and push out to cover the bottom and up the side of the pans. (If using the 9-inch pans, pinch a 2-inch ball off each dough to make a better fit.).
- For assembly:.
- Combine the cheese in a bowl. Place half of the cheese of the bottom of each pie crust. Divide the sausage filling over the cheese and then top with the remaining cheese, patting the cheese firmly down over the filling. Spoon some of the sauce over the top of the cheese to cover completely. Place the pans into the oven on the pizza stones and bake in the oven until golden brown, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the top with Parmesan. Let the pizza rest on a baking sheet for 5 minutes before slicing.
PERFECT CHICAGO-STYLE DEEP DISH PIZZA
This is an excellent Chicago Deep Dish pizza recipe. It uses a cold-fermentation method, rather than letting the dough rise at room temperature, so you need to prepare the dough at least 1 day in advance. It can stay in the fridge for up to 3 days, or it can be frozen after 1 day and kept for months.
Provided by AZFoodie
Categories Low Cholesterol
Time P1DT25m
Yield 8 slices, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- 24 Hours Prior to Baking: In a mixing bowl, add the water, sugar, yeast, flour, cornmeal, and salt.
- Mix on low speed for a few minutes until the dough comes together, then slowly add the oil. Continue to mix dough for 7 more minutes.
- The dough should be somewhat moist and smooth, but not sticky. Form the dough into a ball and place into a bowl twice the size of the ball. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then put a dish towel over it and place in the refrigerator for 24hrs.
- Remove the bowl from the refrigerator about one hour prior to making the pizza. Set the bottom oven rack to its lowest position and preheat the oven to 450° F for at least 30 minutes prior to baking.
- After letting the dough rest for one hour, coat the bottom of a well seasoned 15" × 2" deep cast iron skillet with a light layer of canola/vegetable oil (do not use olive oil).
- Place the dough ball in the center of the pan and press it out until it covers the entire bottom. Then, using you fingers, work the dough up the sides of the pan about 1 1/2 inches.
- The top of the edges should be pinched up against the side of the pan. If the dough resists holding shape, cover with a towel and allow to rest for 15-20 minutes before trying again.
- Using sliced mozzarella (NOT fresh, only low-moisture), or a blend of sliced mozzarella and provolone, cover the bottom of the dough with cheese.
- Add your desired toppings (Italian sausage is very popular). If you are going to use pepperonis, it is recommended to chop them into 1/4's before layering them in the pizza.
- Top with 1 LARGE can of crushed tomatoes, no seasoning added. Use your hands if necessary to spread out the tomatoes. **Note that 6 IN 1 brand tomatoes are very fresh tasting, as are Bianco DiNapoli if you can find then at a store near you**.
- Finish topping with Italian herbs/seasonings (chopped fresh basil and dried oregano flakes are favorites) and finally with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- Place the pan in the center of the bottom oven rack and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once half way through, until the crust is golden brown.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and allow to cool for about 3 minutes.
- Remove the pizza from the baking pan and place on a cutting board or serving pan. Slice and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 352.8, Fat 14.5, SaturatedFat 1.1, Sodium 296.4, Carbohydrate 48.6, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 0.7, Protein 6.7
Tips:
- Use a high-quality bread flour or all-purpose flour for the best results.
- Make sure the water is warm, but not hot, when you add it to the yeast. Hot water will kill the yeast and prevent it from rising.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for at least 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size. This will help the dough develop its flavor and texture.
- When you are ready to bake the pizza, preheat the oven to the highest temperature possible. This will help the pizza cook evenly and prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Use a cast-iron skillet or a pizza stone to bake the pizza. This will help the pizza cook evenly and give it a crispy crust.
- Don't overload the pizza with toppings. Too many toppings will make the pizza soggy and difficult to cook.
- Bake the pizza for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Conclusion:
Chicago deep-dish pizza is a delicious and unique type of pizza that is sure to please everyone. With its thick, buttery crust, flavorful sauce, and gooey cheese, it's a pizza that you'll never forget. Follow these tips and you'll be able to make a delicious Chicago deep-dish pizza at home.
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