Indulge in the iconic flavors of Chicago with this classic Chicago-style deep dish pizza. With its deep crust, layers of cheese, meat, and vegetables, this pizza is a true delight for pizza enthusiasts. Follow this step-by-step recipe to recreate the authentic taste of Chicago in your own kitchen.
Course Pizza Dough and Recipes
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 45 minutesminutes
Servings 6
Author N. J. Sorensen, RDN
Ingredients
1large onion — coarsely chopped
½poundground sirloin
½poundground pork
1teaspoonwhole fennel seed
3each plum tomato
1recipe Cornmeal Pizza Dough
1poundmozzarella cheese
¾cupRomano cheese — grated
1 ½teaspoonsdried oregano
1 ½teaspoonsdried basil
16ouncesHunt’s Spaghetti Sauce
⅓cupolive oil
Instructions
In a medium sauté pan, cook the onion and meats over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is cooked. Blot up any excess fat with a paper towel. Add the fennel seed and set aside to cool.
Skin and chop the plum tomatoes. Place them in a sieve and let them drain for 10 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 400°F and position a pizza stone on the lower third rack. Allow it to heat for 20 to 30 minutes before baking.
Brush a 14-inch deep-dish pizza pan with oil. Press the pizza dough into the pan, ensuring it covers the bottom and goes up the sides to the rim. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
In a bowl, combine the mozzarella, Romano cheese, and herbs. Sprinkle two-thirds of the cheese mixture over the dough. Next, spread the entire can of sauce on top and drizzle with olive oil. Distribute the meat mixture as the next layer, followed by the chopped tomatoes. Finally, sprinkle the remaining cheese mixture and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
Bake the pizza for 15 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 350°F and bake for an additional 40 to 45 minutes. If the cheese becomes too brown, cover with foil for the last 10 minutes. The crust should be golden brown; check the bottom by lifting it with a metal spatula. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest on a rack for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve while still hot.
Notes
Enjoy the authentic taste of Chicago with this delicious deep dish pizza recipe. Perfect for sharing with friends and family, this hearty pizza will transport your taste buds to the windy city.