Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

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This Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza recipe brings all the indulgent, cheesy satisfaction of a Windy City classic straight into your kitchen. With its golden, buttery crust rising high around a sea of gooey mozzarella, robust tomato sauce, and savory toppings, this pizza is less of a meal and more of an event. Every bite is a glorious forkful of crispy edges and rich, melty layers.

Unlike thin, foldable slices from New York or the light crispiness of a Neapolitan pie, Chicago deep dish is unapologetically over the top. The crust is almost like a pie shell—thick but tender—and it’s filled in reverse: cheese first, then toppings, and finally the sauce on top. This genius layering ensures that the cheese doesn’t burn, and the sauce remains bright and bold.

Why You’ll Love This Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

There’s something undeniably comforting about this recipe. It satisfies cravings for both pizza and comfort food in one thick, cheesy slice. If you love bold flavors, crispy edges, and saucy toppings that don’t skimp on cheese, this is your dream pizza. It’s a showstopper for game day or a cold night in, and surprisingly easy to make at home with the right pan and ingredients.

What Kind of Pan Should I Use for Deep Dish Pizza?

The best pan for a true deep dish experience is a cast iron or heavy aluminum cake pan, ideally 9 to 10 inches wide with at least 2 inches of depth. These conduct heat evenly and help develop the signature crispy, golden bottom crust. While you can use a springform pan in a pinch, traditional deep dish pizza calls for a solid, heavy-duty base to hold up all the gooey, saucy, cheesy layers without leaking or bending under pressure.

Ingredients for the Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

Creating the perfect Chicago-style deep dish starts with understanding what each ingredient brings to the table. Every layer contributes to that irresistible bite—from the crisp yet tender crust to the stringy mozzarella and bold tomato sauce. Here’s what you’ll need:

• All-purpose flour
• Yellow cornmeal
• Active dry yeast
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Sugar
• Salt
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Crushed tomatoes (canned)
• Garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Sausage or pepperoni (optional)

The dough includes flour, cornmeal, yeast, sugar, salt, olive oil, and butter for a rich, tender texture. The mozzarella cheese goes directly over the dough to protect it from getting soggy. The sauce is made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, and Italian seasoning, simmered until thick and flavorful. Add parmesan cheese on top for an umami kick. For a meatier version, go for Italian sausage or pepperoni tucked in with the cheese.

How To Make the Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

Step 1: Make the Dough

Whisk together warm water, sugar, and yeast and let it sit for about 10 minutes until bubbly. Mix in flour, cornmeal, salt, olive oil, and melted butter. Knead the dough until smooth and let it rise for about 1 to 2 hours, or until doubled.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Pour in crushed tomatoes, add Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, and red pepper flakes. Let it simmer for 20 to 30 minutes until thickened.

Step 3: Assemble the Pizza

Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Grease your deep dish pan with olive oil or butter. Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Lay down slices of mozzarella, then your toppings (like sausage or pepperoni), followed by the tomato sauce. Finish with a generous sprinkle of parmesan.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake the pizza for 30 to 35 minutes, until the crust is golden and the edges are crisp. If needed, cover with foil halfway through to prevent the cheese from over-browning.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Let the pizza rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. This gives the layers time to settle so you can get that perfect, photo-worthy slice every time.

Serving and Storing Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

This Chicago-style deep dish pizza is made to impress, feeding up to 4 very hungry people or 6 for a more moderate meal. Thanks to its richness and deep layers, just one slice goes a long way. Serve it piping hot straight from the pan with a sturdy spatula, and watch that stretchy mozzarella work its magic.

Leftovers store beautifully. Wrap slices individually in foil or place them in airtight containers. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for about 10 minutes to bring back that crispy crust and melty cheese. Avoid microwaving if possible—it softens the crust too much.

What to Serve With Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza?

Fresh Garden Salad

A crisp salad with romaine, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onions provides a refreshing contrast to the rich pizza.

Roasted Garlic Broccoli

Oven-roasted broccoli with garlic adds a savory and slightly bitter balance that complements all that cheese and sauce.

Antipasto Skewers

Layer mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, olives, and salami on skewers for a quick and flavorful appetizer.

Creamy Caesar Salad

This classic side pairs well with deep dish, adding crunch and a hint of anchovy-rich umami.

Sparkling Water with Lemon

To cleanse the palate between cheesy bites, a fizzy lemon water refreshes without competing with bold flavors.

Garlic Knots

Because more carbs with pizza is always a yes—especially when brushed with garlic butter.

Marinara Dipping Sauce

If you have leftover sauce from the recipe, warm it up as a dip for crust edges or side breads.

Chopped Greek Salad

For a Mediterranean twist, feta, olives, and a lemony vinaigrette will cut through the pizza’s decadence perfectly.

Want More Pizza Ideas?

If this Chicago-style deep dish pizza got you excited about homemade pies, you’ll definitely want to try these other unique spins on pizza and pizza-inspired creations:

• BBQ Chicken Pizza when you’re in the mood for something smoky and sweet.
• Air Fryer Pizza Toast for a fast and fun twist on classic pizza flavors.
• Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese when you’re craving pizza but want the comfort of a toasted sandwich.
• Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bombs for a mashup of burger and pizza love.
• Easy Chicken with Zucchini, Corn & Garlic Sauce if you want a savory skillet dinner with just as much flavor impact.

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Tried it out? Let me know how it went! Did you go classic with cheese and sausage, or add your own spin with veggies and herbs?

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Conclusion

Homemade Chicago-style deep dish pizza may sound like a restaurant-only feat, but it’s absolutely achievable in your own kitchen. The dough is simple and buttery, the layering method is strategic, and the flavor payoff is massive. Whether you go all-in with sausage or keep it vegetarian, this pizza delivers. Once you try it, you might just find yourself skipping takeout forever.

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