Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza

Enjoy the hearty and tasty deep-dish pizza made in the Chicago style. This pizza is a classic comfort food. It has a buttery crust, sausage, and a rich tomato sauce.

Ingredients:

• For the Crust:
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cups ice-cold water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• For the Filling:
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 lb Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• For Topping:
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• Red pepper flakes optional

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, and salt for the crust

Add ice-cold water and olive oil to the flour mixture, mixing until a dough forms

Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth, then divide in half

Roll out one half to fit a deep-dish pizza pan and press into the pan to form the crust

Preheat the oven to 475F 245C

In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage until browned

Drain and set aside

In the same skillet, saut the onion, green bell pepper, and garlic until softened

Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper

Simmer for 10 minutes

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and cooked Italian sausage over the pizza crust

Pour the tomato sauce mixture over the filling, spreading it evenly

Roll out the remaining dough and place it on top of the filling

Seal the edges

Brush the top crust with olive oil and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the crust is golden brown

Let the pizza cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil leaves and red pepper flakes if desired

Slice and serve this delicious Chicago-style deep-dish pizza