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Homemade Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza: A Slice of Windy City Magic in Your Kitchen

If you’ve ever strolled through the heart of Chicago and caught a whiff of bubbling cheese, rich tomato sauce, and buttery crust wafting through the streets—you know there’s nothing quite like a slice of Chicago-style deep dish pizza.

Thick. Cheesy. Saucy. And undeniably satisfying.

But here’s the best part: you don’t have to book a trip to the Windy City to experience it. With a bit of patience and a hearty appetite, you can make authentic, homemade Chicago-style deep dish pizza right in your own kitchen.

Let’s dig in—deep.

🍕 What Makes Chicago Deep Dish So Special?

Unlike your typical pizza, deep dish is more of a pizza pie than a flatbread. It’s baked in a high-sided pan and layered in reverse order:

Cheese first (yes, before the sauce!)
Then your toppings (meats, veggies, etc.)
And finally, a generous layer of crushed tomato sauce

The crust? Buttery, golden, and flaky—almost like a biscuit-meets-pizza hybrid. It’s thick enough to hold all that cheesy, saucy goodness, but never too heavy.

🧀 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the crust:

2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
1½ cups warm water (110°F / 45°C)
2 tsp sugar
3½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cornmeal (for texture and flavor)
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil (for greasing the pan)

For the filling:

3 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
1 lb Italian sausage (optional, cooked and crumbled)
½ cup sliced pepperoni or other toppings of your choice
1 small green pepper, chopped (optional)
½ onion, finely diced
1 tsp dried oregano

For the sauce:

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil (optional)

Optional toppings:

Grated Parmesan cheese
Red pepper flakes
Fresh basil leaves for garnish

🥄 Step-by-Step: How to Make Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

🥣 1. Make the Dough

In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
Add flour, cornmeal, salt, and melted butter. Mix until a dough forms.
Knead on a floured surface for about 5–7 minutes until smooth.
Place in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

🧄 2. Make the Sauce (While Dough Rises)

In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
Pour in crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes until thickened.
Optional: Add chopped basil for extra flavor.

🍳 3. Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Grease a 9- or 10-inch deep-dish pizza pan or cast iron skillet with olive oil.
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