Deep Dish Pizza

Deep Dish Pizza

2 (8- to 9-inch) deep dish pizzas
What is Chicago deep dish crust meant to be? Ask any Chicagoan: It depends on what you grew up eating. The original recipe has a thinner, shallower crust than many versions from today’s pizzerias, and making it at home may be the only way to taste it. This recipe is based on the earliest known published recipe that Richard Riccardo, the founder of Pizzeria Uno, shared with the newspaper columnist Gaynor Maddox in 1945. Peter Regas, a pizza historian, finessed it over many years, and here, it’s been adapted to work in any home kitchen. All you need is a couple of 8- or 9-inch metal cake pans and an open mind. The crust in this variation is almost caky and not as fermented as other styles of deeply proofed pizza dough. The sausage is what makes this especially Chicagoan, but if you don’t eat it, you could swap out the mozzarella for provolone for more richness with the same cheese pull.

Ingredients

  • cup/240 grams whole milk
    1
  • tablespoons/38 grams unsalted butter
    2 ½
  • tablespoons/25 grams granulated sugar
    2
  • coarse kosher salt or fine salt
    1 tsp
  • teaspoons/7 grams active dry yeast

    1 envelope

    2 ¼
  • cups/360 grams all-purpose flour

    plus more if needed

    2 ¾
  • Olive oil

    for greasing

  • mozzarella

    6 to 8 ounces

    10 slice
  • loose sweet or hot Italian sausage

    removed from casings if in links

    6 oz
  • can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes in purée

    tomatoes crushed with your hands, 28-ounce

    1
  • Salt
  • Pecorino Romano or Parmesan

    plus more for serving

    6 tbsp
  • Basil leaves

    for topping

Directions

  1. 1

    Prepare the dough: In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium just until small bubbles start to form around the edge of the pan. Pour the milk into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook or into a large bowl. Add the butter and let it melt. Stir in the sugar and salt until dissolved, then let the mixture cool to lukewarm.

  2. 2

    Sprinkle the yeast over the lukewarm milk mixture, stir and let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the flour. If using a stand mixer, go straight into kneading on medium-low speed for about 10 minutes or until the dough becomes light and springy. If kneading by hand, first beat the mixture to combine, then turn out onto a floured surface and knead until light and springy.

  3. 3

    Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1 to 2 hours.

  4. 4

    Make a fist and gently press down on the dough with your knuckles to release some gas, then transfer to a cutting board or other clean surface, divide and form into two balls. Put each ball in an 8- or 9-inch metal cake pan generously greased with olive oil and cover with plastic wrap. If not using right away, refrigerate for up to 48 hours. Let refrigerated dough come to room temperature, about 1 hour, before using.

  5. 5

    Let the dough rise a second time, still covered, until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours. Position a rack in the bottom of the oven and heat to 450 degrees.

  6. 6

    Assemble the pizzas: Flatten the dough balls in the pans, using your fingers to gently stretch the dough to the edges of each pan and about 1 inch up the sides (keeping the dough thin on the sides). If the dough keeps springing back towards the center, walk away for a few minutes and come back after it’s rested.

  7. 7

    Line the bottom of each dough round with 5 overlapping cheese slices. (It’s OK if some of the dough shows.) Scatter bits of sausage over the cheese in a single layer, then cover with the crushed tomatoes in purée. Season with salt, then sprinkle with pecorino.

  8. 8

    Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the crust is golden brown, then remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Top with basil leaves, if using.

Deep Dish Pizza

Deep Dish Pizza

300 min2 (8- to 9-inch) deep dish pizzas291 cal

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About this Recipe

Experience Authentic Chicago Deep Dish Pizza at Home Ever wondered what original Chicago deep dish pizza tastes like? This isn't your average thick-crusted pie; it's a taste of history! Our Deep Dish Pizza recipe brings the authentic flavor of Chicago right to your kitchen, based on the earliest known recipe shared by Pizzeria Uno founder Richard Riccardo in 1945, and finessed by pizza historian Peter Regas. Forget the deeply fermented doughs; this version features a unique, almost caky crust that's shallower and lighter than many modern takes. What truly makes this Chicago Deep Dish special is the combination of its distinctive crust and incredible toppings. We layer slices of melty mozzarella cheese directly onto the dough, followed by savory Italian sausage (either sweet or hot, to your preference). The sauce, made from crushed San Marzano tomatoes, is seasoned simply, allowing the quality of the ingredients to shine. This recipe uses readily available ingredients like active dry yeast and all-purpose flour, making it surprisingly accessible for home cooks. You'll only need a couple of 8- or 9-inch metal cake pans to create two magnificent pizzas.### Tips for Perfect Deep Dish Pizza- Crust Perfection: Don't expect an airy, bubbly crust. This deep dish style is intentionally denser, almost like a savory cake, providing a sturdy base for the generous fillings.- Sausage Savvy: For an authentic taste, don't skip the Italian sausage. If you prefer a meatless option, swap out the mozzarella for rich provolone to maintain a similar depth of flavor and that irresistible cheese pull.- Tomato Power: Using high-quality canned San Marzano tomatoes makes a big difference in the sauce's flavor. Crushing them by hand releases their natural sweetness.- Serving Suggestion: Serve your homemade deep dish pizza hot, perhaps with a simple side salad to balance the richness. It’s perfect for a weekend project or a satisfying family dinner.

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