Description
Hearty Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza delivers a mouthwatering masterpiece of layered flavors and rich textures. Rich tomato sauce, melted cheese, and crispy crust create a sensational meal you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water
- 2.25 teaspoons (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by dissolving it in warm water, allowing it to bloom and become frothy for approximately 5 minutes.
- Create a foundational dough by combining flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing vessel, then incorporate the activated yeast and olive oil until a cohesive mixture forms.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead vigorously for 8-10 minutes, developing a smooth and elastic texture.
- Allow the dough to rest and expand, covering it with a damp cloth in a warm environment for roughly one hour until it doubles in volume.
- Prepare the savory filling by sautéing ground beef or sausage in a skillet over medium heat, thoroughly rendering and draining excess fat.
- Enhance the meat mixture by stirring in pizza sauce and simmering for 5 minutes to meld flavors, then set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, creating an ideal baking environment for the deep-dish pizza pie.
- Carefully roll the risen dough into a circular shape and gently press it into a greased deep baking pan, trimming any overhanging edges.
- Establish a foundational layer of shredded mozzarella cheese across the crust’s base for added richness.
- Construct layers of meat filling, mushrooms, and bell peppers, alternating with additional cheese to create a complex flavor profile.
- Crown the pizza pie with a final layer of mozzarella and arrange pepperoni slices or preferred garnishes on top.
- Bake the assembled pizza for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the crust achieves a golden hue and the cheese becomes delightfully bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and allow the pizza to rest briefly, enabling the filling to set before slicing.
- Serve warm, presenting generous portions alongside a crisp side salad or garlic bread to complete the meal.
Notes
- Boost dough rise by placing it in a warm, draft-free spot like a turned-off oven with the light on.
- Prevent soggy crust by pre-baking the dough for 5-7 minutes before adding fillings, creating a barrier against moisture.
- Customize filling with vegetarian alternatives like plant-based ground meat or roasted vegetables for dietary flexibility.
- Enhance flavor by adding dried herbs like oregano or basil directly into the meat sauce or sprinkled on top before baking.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg