Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

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Welcome to our kitchen, where we’re about to embark on a culinary journey to create the ultimate comfort food: Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza. This iconic dish, originating from the bustling streets of Chicago, is a celebration of hearty flavors, a crunchy golden crust, and a mouthwatering combination of gooey cheese, savory meats, and rich tomato sauce. So, roll up your sleeves, because we’re about to unveil the secrets to crafting a pizza that will surpass all your expectations!

A Brief History

Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza is more than just a dish; it’s a part of Chicago’s cultural heritage. This culinary masterpiece was born in the 1940s when Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo decided to create something unique at their restaurant, Pizzeria Uno. Their creation was no ordinary pizza; it was a pizza with a high, flaky crust that could hold generous amounts of cheese, toppings, and sauce. Since then, this style of pizza has become synonymous with the Windy City and has won the hearts of pizza enthusiasts worldwide.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1¼ cups water, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon + 4 tablespoons olive oil

For the Filling:

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni or your favorite toppings
  • 1 cup sliced bell peppers
  • 1 cup sliced onions
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 cup marinara sauce

For the Topping:

  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Making the Dough

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, salt, sugar, and instant yeast. Mix well, ensuring all the dry ingredients are fully incorporated.
  2. Pour in the room-temperature water, melted unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Stir until the dough starts to come together.
  3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  4. Grease a large bowl with the remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it to coat in the oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest in a warm, draft-free place for about 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Assembling the Pizza

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Take the risen dough and punch it down to remove any air bubbles. Roll it out on a floured surface to fit a deep-dish pizza pan.
  3. Grease the pizza pan with some olive oil and press the rolled-out dough into the pan, ensuring it covers the bottom and sides evenly.
  4. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the dough, followed by your chosen toppings – pepperoni, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
  5. Pour the marinara sauce over the toppings, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
  7. Roll out a top crust with the remaining dough and place it over the pizza, pinching the edges to seal.
  8. Brush the top crust with melted butter and sprinkle it with grated Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, and garlic powder.

Baking the Pizza

  1. Place the deep-dish pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
  2. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before carefully removing it from the pan.
  3. Slice your Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza into wedges and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious, restaurant-quality pizza at home!

Conclusion

There you have it – a step-by-step guide to creating a Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza that will have your taste buds dancing with delight. The golden, buttery crust, the layers of cheese and toppings, and the savory tomato sauce come together in a symphony of flavors. Make this pizza to impress your friends and family, and remember, you can always customize the toppings to suit your preferences.

So why wait? Get ready to bake a pizza that’s not just a meal but an experience in itself. If you’re a pizza lover, you owe it to yourself to try this recipe. Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza is more than just food; it’s a culinary adventure you won’t want to miss!