Old Chicago Pizza – Authentic Deep-Dish Recipe
This Old Chicago Pizza recipe brings the authentic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza experience to your home. With its buttery, flaky crust, rich tomato sauce, gooey cheese, and hearty toppings, this pizza is baked to perfection in a deep pan. Ideal for those who love thick, indulgent pizzas, this recipe stays true to the Old Chicago Pizza tradition.
Equipment
- Deep-dish pizza pan (12-inch) or cast-iron skillet
- Large mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling Pin
- Wooden spoon
- Large saucepan
- Cheese grater
- Pizza Cutter
Ingredients
- For the Deep-Dish Crust:
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
- 1 ¼ cups warm water 110°F
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cup olive oil
- For the Pizza Sauce:
- 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- For the Toppings:
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ pound Italian sausage cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup pepperoni slices
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms
- ½ cup diced green bell peppers
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Step 2: Make the Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and sugar.
- Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat and let it cool.
- Step 3: Assemble the Pizza
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Roll out the dough into a 14-inch circle, then press it into a 12-inch deep-dish pan. The dough should cover the bottom and sides of the pan.
- Layer mozzarella cheese at the bottom to prevent a soggy crust.
- Add cooked Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, and olives.
- Pour the thick tomato sauce evenly over the toppings.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Step 4: Bake the Pizza
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
- Let the pizza cool for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
For a crisper crust, brush the edges with olive oil before baking.
If using a cast-iron skillet, reduce the baking time by 5 minutes.
Feel free to customize toppings based on preference.
If using a cast-iron skillet, reduce the baking time by 5 minutes.
Feel free to customize toppings based on preference.