Homemade Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza: A Slice of Heaven

When it comes to iconic pizza styles, few are as beloved or as distinctive as Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Known for its thick crust, generous layers of cheese, rich tomato sauce, and savory toppings, Chicago-style deep dish is the epitome of comfort food. It’s not just a pizza; it’s an experience. But if you’ve ever thought about making this indulgent pie at home, you might be intimidated by its reputation for complexity. Don’t worry! With a little guidance and the right ingredients, you can recreate this savory masterpiece in your own kitchen.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know to make the perfect homemade Chicago-style deep dish pizza. We’ll explore its history, break down the steps of the recipe, and offer tips and tricks to ensure you achieve a perfectly baked pizza that rivals what you’d find in the heart of Chicago itself. Whether you’re a seasoned pizza maker or a beginner in the kitchen, this guide will help you craft a pie that’s as delicious as it is satisfying.

The History of Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
The Anatomy of Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
Key Ingredients for Homemade Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
How to Make Homemade Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
- Step 1: Preparing the Dough
- Step 2: Preparing the Sauce
- Step 3: Assembling the Pizza
- Step 4: Baking the Pizza
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Deep Dish Pizza
Creative Variations of Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
Serving Suggestions for Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Conclusion: Why Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza is Worth the Effort

1. The History of Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

Chicago-style deep dish pizza, often simply referred to as “deep dish,” has become a symbol of the Windy City. Its exact origins are somewhat debated, but it’s widely believed to have been created in the 1940s by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo at the famous Pizzeria Uno in Chicago. The story goes that they wanted to create a new kind of pizza that differed from the traditional New York-style pizza with a thin, foldable crust.

The resulting pizza was a pie with a thick, buttery crust that could hold a substantial amount of cheese, sauce, and toppings. The combination of these layers, baked in a deep dish pan, was both filling and flavorful, quickly earning the pizza a loyal following. Over time, other pizzerias followed suit, and the deep dish pizza became a hallmark of Chicago’s culinary scene. The iconic dish is so closely associated with Chicago that the city hosts annual pizza festivals dedicated to the pizza style.

The defining feature of Chicago-style deep dish pizza is its unusual structure. Unlike traditional pizzas, where the crust is the foundation that holds the toppings, Chicago-style deep dish features a buttery, thick crust that forms the “dish” of the pizza. The crust is then layered with cheese, toppings, and a chunky tomato sauce, making it less of a traditional pizza and more of a savory, cheesy pie.

2. The Anatomy of Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

To understand what makes Chicago-style deep dish so unique, it’s important to break down the key components that make up the pizza:

1. The Crust

Chicago-style deep dish pizza features a thick, buttery, and slightly flaky crust that serves as the pizza’s base. The dough is often made with cornmeal, giving it a slightly gritty texture that complements the richness of the toppings. The crust is pressed into a deep-dish pizza pan and extends up the sides to create a high “lip” that helps contain the pizza’s ingredients.

2. The Cheese

The cheese is one of the defining ingredients of Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Unlike traditional pizzas that use mozzarella as a topping, Chicago-style deep dish often uses a layer of sliced mozzarella cheese placed directly on top of the crust. This cheese layer acts as a barrier to prevent the crust from becoming soggy from the sauce. Some recipes also include other cheeses like Parmesan or provolone for added flavor.

3. The Toppings

Chicago-style deep dish pizza can be made with a wide variety of toppings, just like any other pizza. Popular choices include sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, and olives. The toppings are usually added directly on top of the cheese, so they’re protected by the thick sauce layer.

4. The Sauce

One of the most distinctive features of Chicago-style deep dish pizza is the chunky, tomato-based sauce that is spread on top of the cheese and toppings. The sauce is typically made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, onions, and various seasonings like oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. The sauce is often left chunky and slightly chunky to contrast with the smoothness of the cheese and dough.

5. The Layers

Chicago-style deep dish pizza is all about layers. The crust serves as the base, followed by cheese, toppings, and finally, a generous layer of sauce on top. This multi-layered structure gives the pizza its hearty, filling nature. Because the layers are stacked so high, deep dish pizzas are often eaten with a fork and knife rather than by hand.

3. Key Ingredients for Homemade Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

Making homemade Chicago-style deep dish pizza at home requires a few specialty ingredients, but don’t worry—many of them are easy to find at your local grocery store. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients you’ll need:

1. Flour

The dough for deep dish pizza requires all-purpose flour, although some recipes call for a mix of all-purpose and semolina flour for added texture.

2. Cornmeal

Cornmeal is a traditional ingredient in the crust, giving it a slight graininess and extra texture.

3. Butter

The crust of Chicago-style deep dish pizza is rich in butter. This not only gives the crust a golden color but also makes it tender and slightly flaky.

4. Mozzarella Cheese

Fresh mozzarella cheese is the cheese of choice for Chicago-style deep dish pizza. You can also use a blend of mozzarella and provolone for extra flavor.

5. Tomatoes

For the sauce, you’ll want to use high-quality canned tomatoes, preferably San Marzano tomatoes, which are known for their sweet flavor and low acidity. You can crush them by hand or with a food processor.

6. Italian Seasonings

The sauce should be flavored with a mix of Italian herbs such as basil, oregano, garlic, and sometimes a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.

7. Toppings

Toppings for Chicago-style deep dish pizza can include classic ingredients like Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, or pepperoni. The possibilities are endless, and you can tailor the toppings to suit your preferences.

4. How to Make Homemade Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

Making homemade Chicago-style deep dish pizza requires a few extra steps compared to regular pizza, but the results are absolutely worth it. Here’s how you can make it at home:

Step 1: Preparing the Dough

The dough for Chicago-style deep dish pizza is thick and buttery, and it requires some time to rise properly. Here’s how to make the dough:

Ingredients for the Dough:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup cornmeal
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
½ cup warm water
¼ cup olive oil
¾ cup melted butter (unsalted)

Instructions:

In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir to dissolve and let sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, and salt. Make a well in the center.
Pour the yeast mixture, melted butter, and olive oil into the well and stir to combine.
Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it into a circle large enough to fit your deep dish pizza pan.

Step 2: Preparing the Sauce

While the dough is rising, you can prepare the sauce. A chunky, tomato-based sauce is the hallmark of Chicago-style deep dish pizza.

Ingredients for the Sauce:

1 can (28 oz) San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

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Homemade Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza