Homemade Chicago-style deep-dish pizza
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F)
1 tablespoon sugar
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for greasing)
For the Pizza Filling:
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 pound Italian sausage (cooked and crumbled) or pepperoni
1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (optional)
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
1/2 cup chopped bell peppers (optional)
For the Tomato Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Topping:
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, and salt. Add the melted butter and olive oil to the flour mixture and stir to combine.
Pour in the yeast mixture and knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
2. Make the Tomato Sauce:
In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
3. Assemble the Pizza:
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan or cast-iron skillet with olive oil.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a large circle, about 1/4 inch thick. Place the dough into the prepared pan, pressing it up the sides to form a thick crust.
Layer the bottom of the pizza with 2 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Add the cooked sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, and bell peppers (or your choice of toppings) over the cheese.
4. Add the Sauce and Bake:
Pour the thickened tomato sauce over the toppings, spreading it evenly across the pizza.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top of the sauce.
Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
5. Cool and Serve:
Let the pizza cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
Serve and enjoy!