Description
A thick, crispy, buttery crust loaded with layers of gooey cheese, rich tomato sauce, and crispy pepperoni, all baked to perfection in a cast iron skillet. This Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is the ultimate comfort food!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
For the Toppings:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
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Prepare the Dough:
- In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour, cornmeal, salt, olive oil, and melted butter. Knead until smooth.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
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Make the Sauce:
- In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from heat.
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Assemble the Pizza:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Grease a cast iron skillet with olive oil.
- Press the dough into the skillet, pushing it up the sides.
- Layer mozzarella cheese first, then sauce, and top with pepperoni and Parmesan.
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Bake:
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the crust is golden and crispy.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
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Serve & Enjoy:
- Slice and enjoy this indulgent deep-dish pizza!
Notes
- Cornmeal in the dough gives the crust its signature crispy texture.
- Use fresh mozzarella for an extra gooey experience.
- Try Italian sausage or mushrooms as alternative toppings.