My hubby and I absolutely love deep dish pizza! When we lived in Atlanta we had a Chicago style pizza place walking distance from our apartment (which we took full advantage of). Unfortunately it is super expensive to buy deep dish from a pizzeria so I decided to find a recipe to make our favorite pizza at home. This is the perfect recipe for a delicious crust, savory sauce and toppings of your choice!
Ingredients
Pizza Sauce
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Toppings
*You can use whatever toppings you like! This is what I like to use, but it is just a suggestion!
*You can use whatever toppings you like! This is what I like to use, but it is just a suggestion!
Making the Pizza Dough
In a large bowl, combine the water, yeast, and sugar and stir to combine.
Let sit until the mixture is foamy, about 5 minutes.
Add 1 1/2 cups of the flour, the corn meal, 1/2 cup of the oil, and the salt.
Mix by hand until it is all incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
Continue adding the flour, 1/4 cup at a time, working the dough after each addition, until all the flour is incorporated but the dough is still slightly sticky.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
Knead until smooth but still slightly tacky, 3 to 5 minutes.
Oil a large mixing bowl with the remaining 2 teaspoons oil.
Place the dough in the bowl and turn to oil all sides.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set in a warm, draft-free place until nearly doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
*While the dough is rising; make the Pizza Sauce.
Making the Pizza Sauce
In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
Add the herbs, seeds, salt, and black and red peppers, and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
Add the tomatoes, wine and sugar, and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 20 to 30 minutes.
Remove from the heat and puree with an immersion blender. Let cool completely before using.
Making the Pizza
Oil a large casserole dish with olive oil. Use a baking dish that has tall sides. You could also use two round deep dish pizza pans. (One of my handles is broken, but it still makes a great pizza!)
Press the pizza dough into the pan, pressing to the edge and stretching about 1 1/2 inches up the sides. Let rest for 5 minutes.
Layer the mozzarella cheese all over the bottom of the pizza.
Top each with the pepperoni, bell peppers, onions, and sausage. (We left pepperoni off of part of the pizza because our friend who was staying for dinner doesn't like pepperoni.)
Ladle the sauce evenly over the pizza..
Top with Parmesan cheese and more basil.
Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, slice and serve hot.