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Classic Deep Pizza Pie

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

Authentic deep dish pizza recipe featuring homemade dough, rich meat sauce, and layers of cheese baked in classic Chicago style.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:08:45 GMT
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A close-up of a pepperoni pizza with melted cheese and herbs, showcasing a slice being lifted with stretchy cheese. Pin it
A close-up of a pepperoni pizza with melted cheese and herbs, showcasing a slice being lifted with stretchy cheese. | recipesbyclare.com

Deep golden crust layers of cheese rich sauce this pizza brings Chicago flavor home. Each slice pulls with gooey cheese revealing the perfect blend of meaty filling crusty bottom.

Pure Pizza Love

Butter crust cheese sauce layers create pizza magic. Perfect weekend project feeds family fills home with amazing smells.

Shopping List

  • Yeast: 2 ¼ tsp fresh active.
  • Flour: 3 ½ cups all purpose.
  • Sausage: 1 lb Italian.
  • Tomatoes: 28 oz crushed.
  • Mozzarella: 3 ½ cups fresh shred.
  • Parmesan: 1 ½ cups grated.
  • Oil: 1 tbsp olive.

Let's Make It

Dough:
Mix yeast water flour oil knead rise 1 hour.
Filling:
Cook sausage onions garlic add tomatoes herbs simmer.
Build:
Press dough in pan layer cheese meat sauce.
Top:
More cheese butter bits.
Bake:
425°F 35 mins golden bubbly rest slice.
A close-up of a pepperoni pizza with melted cheese and herbs, showing a slice being lifted and stretching cheese. Pin it
A close-up of a pepperoni pizza with melted cheese and herbs, showing a slice being lifted and stretching cheese. | recipesbyclare.com

Pro Tips

Butter pan first crispy bottom. Add veggies you love. Half dough makes thinner style.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What pan works best?

Deep dish pizza pan or 9-inch cast iron skillet. Needs high sides.

→ Why put cheese on bottom?

Protects crust from sauce, keeps it crispy. Classic Chicago style.

→ Can I make dough ahead?

Refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bring to room temp before using.

→ Why simmer sauce first?

Reduces liquid, concentrates flavor. Prevents soggy pizza.

→ How do I prevent soggy bottom?

Prebake crust 5 minutes, use thick sauce, layer cheese first.

Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Traditional Chicago deep dish pizza with layers of cheese, meat sauce, and buttery crust.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: Italian American

Yield: 6 Servings (1 pizza)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 2¼ tsp yeast.
02 1½ cups warm water.
03 1 tbsp olive oil.
04 3½ cups flour.
05 1 tsp sugar.
06 1 tsp salt.
07 1 lb Italian sausage.
08 ½ cup onion.
09 2 garlic cloves.
10 28 oz crushed tomatoes.
11 1 tbsp tomato paste.
12 1 tsp oregano.
13 ½ tsp basil.
14 4½ cups mozzarella.
15 1½ cups Parmesan.
16 ½ cup pepperoni.
17 2 tbsp butter.

Instructions

Step 01

Mix yeast, sugar, water. Let foam.

Step 02

Combine flour, salt, oil, yeast mix.

Step 03

Knead dough for 5-7 minutes.

Step 04

Rise dough for 1 hour.

Step 05

Cook sausage, onion, garlic.

Step 06

Add tomatoes, paste, herbs. Simmer.

Step 07

Roll dough and place in a deep dish pan.

Step 08

Layer cheese, meat sauce, parmesan.

Step 09

Top with cheese and butter.

Step 10

Bake at 425°F for 35-40 minutes.

Notes

  1. Use cast iron or deep dish pan.
  2. Layering cheese first prevents soggy crust.

Tools You'll Need

  • Deep dish pan/cast iron.
  • Large skillet.
  • Mixing bowls.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 700
  • Total Fat: 38 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 58 g
  • Protein: 32 g