Description
Chicago’s legendary Deep-Dish Pizza Delight offers layers of cheesy, saucy goodness that redefine comfort cuisine. Rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and perfectly crisp crust invite you to savor each indulgent bite of Italian-American culinary magic.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Cheese and Optional Toppings:
- ½ cup cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms
- ½ cup sliced green bell peppers or jalapeños
- Pepperoni slices
- Additional shredded mozzarella
- Pepperoni and vegetables for garnish
Seasonings and Activators:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by whisking it into warm water, letting the mixture develop a frothy texture for approximately 5 minutes to ensure proper fermentation.
- Create a foundational dough by blending flour, sugar, and salt in a spacious mixing vessel, then integrate the activated yeast, olive oil, and continue mixing until a cohesive mass emerges.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly dusted work surface, then methodically knead the mixture for 8-10 minutes, developing its elasticity and smoothness until it becomes uniform and resilient.
- Allow the dough to rest and expand in a warm environment, covering it with a slightly dampened cloth, permitting it to rise and develop complex flavors for one full hour.
- Meanwhile, prepare the meat filling by sautéing ground beef or sausage in a skillet over medium heat, carefully draining excessive fat to maintain a lean consistency.
- Enhance the meat mixture by incorporating pizza sauce, simmering for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors and create a rich, robust filling.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, creating an ideal baking environment for the deep-dish pizza.
- Gently roll the dough into a circular shape, carefully pressing it into a greased deep-dish or springform pan, trimming any overhanging edges for a neat presentation.
- Construct the pizza layers strategically: first, distribute a generous base of shredded mozzarella cheese directly onto the dough.
- Layer the seasoned meat filling atop the cheese, then artfully arrange mushrooms, bell peppers, and jalapeños for textural complexity.
- Add another stratum of mozzarella cheese, creating a melty foundation for additional toppings.
- Garnish the pizza with a final cheese layer, decoratively positioning pepperoni slices and scattered vegetables for visual appeal.
- Bake the pizza for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the crust achieves a golden-brown hue and the cheese bubbles enticingly.
- Remove from the oven and permit the pizza to rest momentarily, allowing the layers to settle before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Activate your yeast properly by using warm water between 100-110°F to ensure perfect dough rising and prevent killing the yeast.
- Knead the dough thoroughly to develop gluten, which creates a chewy, structured crust that holds up to heavy toppings.
- Layer cheese directly on the dough first to create a moisture barrier, preventing the crust from becoming soggy during baking.
- Choose high-fat content ground meats like sausage for deeper flavor and juicier filling that complements the pizza’s rich texture.
- Allow the pizza to rest 5-10 minutes after baking to help cheese set and make slicing easier without losing melty goodness.
- Deep-dish pizzas require longer baking times and lower temperatures to ensure thorough cooking without burning the crust’s exterior.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg