Name: Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2.5 cups All-Purpose Flour (You can substitute it with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor.); 0.5 cups Cornmeal (Substitute with fine polenta or breadcrumbs if necessary.); 1 tablespoon Sugar (Can be swapped for honey or agave syrup.); 1 teaspoon Salt (Essential for flavor; can reduce for low-sodium diet.); 0.5 cups Unsalted Butter (Use olive oil as a substitute, but flavor will differ.); 1 packet Active Dry Yeast (Instant yeast can be used without proofing.); 1 cup Warm Water (Water should be around 110°F for best results.); 0.5 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (Fresh herbs can be used as an alternative.); 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (Whole milk mozzarella preferred for creaminess.); 0.5 pounds Italian Sausage (Cooked and crumbled; substitute with ground beef or turkey if desired.); 0.5 cups Pepperoni Slices (Can use turkey pepperoni, salami, or veggies.); 2 cups Chunky Tomato Sauce (Use homemade or favorite jarred variety.)

This Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza comes together in about 60 minutes and is baked to perfection in a cast-iron skillet for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the toppings to suit your taste, or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Seriously, this pizza is a total game changer for busy weeknights.

Ingredient Breakdown

2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup of cornmeal
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of unsalted butter
1 packet of active dry yeast
1 cup of warm water
1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 pound of Italian sausage
1/2 cup of pepperoni slices
2 cups of chunky tomato sauce

Let’s Get Cooking!

How to Make Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

Preheat the Oven! Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Your pizza will only bake for around 25-30 minutes, which means it’s about to become a family favorite in no time!
Mix the Dry Ingredients : In a bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and Italian seasoning. Get those whisked together until evenly mixed!
Activate the Yeast : In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes. You want it frothy and bubbly, this means it’s alive and ready to do its thing!
Combine Wet and Dry : Add the yeast mixture and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms, it might be a bit sticky, but no worries!
Knead the Dough : Now, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth. You’ll want it to feel nice and elastic.
Let it Rise : Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Ah, the smell of rising dough, it’s like a warm hug.
Prepare Your Skillet : Once risen, grease your cast iron skillet (about 10-12 inches is perfect) and press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the skillet, making sure it’s even spread.
Layer on the Goodness : Start with 2 cups of mozzarella cheese on the bottom. Then, sprinkle on your cooked Italian sausage and pepperoni slices. Top it all with chunky tomato sauce, glorious!
Bake It Up! Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Just wait until you catch a whiff of that heavenly scent!
Slice and Serve : Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Trust me, the anticipation will be worth it!

My Go-To Recipe

This is my go-to recipe when I’m craving comfort food or need to impress friends with my “seriously good cooking.” I’m a real sucker for a good pizza night with family, and the best part is that you can use whatever you’ve got on hand, making it totally versatile! I love when my kids ask for seconds, it makes it all worth it.

If you loved this homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza, be sure to check out my Juicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf, my Cracker Barrel Meatloaf, or my Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

This deep-dish pizza comes together in under 60 minutes perfect for those busy weeknights. Seriously, all thanks to the rising time being short, and your oven does most of the work!

Comfort Food

With layers of gooey cheese and savory toppings, it’s that classic comfort food you want on a chilly night and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Customizable

You can customize it however you want! Use leftover veggies or switch up the proteins; the key flavors remain, but you can make it yours.

Budget-Friendly

It uses affordable, everyday ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Plus, you’ll have leftovers, so that’s another dinner sorted!

Family Fun

Making pizza at home is a fun family activity! Get the kids involved in choosing toppings or stretching the dough. Trust me, you’ll create memories and delicious food all at once!

Serving & Storage Tips

How to Serve This Pizza

Serve your deep-dish pizza hot, fresh from the oven! It pairs well with a simple side salad or a delightful garlic bread. Just keep it casual, everyone loves a pizza night!

Storage

Leftover pizza can keep in your refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Just make sure you store it in an airtight container!

Reheating Instructions

To reheat, the best method is the oven! Preheat to 350°F (175°C), place your pizza slice on a baking sheet, and bake for about 10 minutes until heated through. But if you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too, just 30 seconds to a minute should do the trick (but it won’t be as crispy).

Freezer Friendly?

Yes! You can freeze this pizza after it’s baked. Just let it cool completely, wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

And that’s it, friends! Your Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza journey is complete. It’s truly a recipe that will embrace your family and friends! Bon appétit! Follow us on Pinterest for daily baking inspiration that brings warmth to your table!