Thick, buttery crust • layers of cheese • rich tomato sauce on top
Chicago-style deep dish pizza is bold, hearty, and unforgettable. Unlike thin-crust pizza, this iconic dish features a deep, buttery crust, layers of cheese and fillings, and a chunky tomato sauce baked on top. It’s more like a pizza pie—and absolutely worth the time.
Below is a complete step-by-step recipe, with pictures placed in the middle of the article to guide every stage.
🛒 Ingredients (1 deep-dish pizza – 10-inch pan)
🥧 Deep Dish Dough
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup yellow cornmeal
- 1½ tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2¼ tsp instant yeast
- ¾ cup warm water (110°F / 43°C)
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
🧀 Filling
- 3 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella
- ½ lb Italian sausage (optional)
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
- ½ cup sliced green peppers (optional)
- ¼ cup sliced onions
🍅 Tomato Sauce
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried basil
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of sugar (optional)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a large bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and yeast.
Add warm water, melted butter, and olive oil. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead 4–5 minutes, then cover and let rise 1 hour, until doubled.
Step 2: Prepare the Tomato Sauce
Heat olive oil in a saucepan. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar.
Simmer gently 20 minutes, then set aside.
Step 3: Shape the Crust
Grease a deep-dish pan or cast-iron skillet generously with butter and oil.
Roll dough into a 12–13 inch circle. Press into the pan, pushing dough up the sides to form a tall crust.
Step 4: Layer the Pizza (Very Important!)
Chicago deep dish is layered bottom to top:
- Cheese first (protects crust from sauce)
- Meat & vegetables
- Tomato sauce on top
Finish with grated Parmesan if desired.
Step 5: Bake Low & Slow
Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 30–35 minutes.
If the crust browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
Step 6: Rest & Slice
Let pizza rest 10 minutes before slicing. This helps it set and keeps slices clean.
⭐ Pro Tips for Authentic Results
- Use low-moisture mozzarella only (fresh mozzarella releases water)
- Butter in the dough = classic Chicago flavor
- Sauce on top prevents burnt cheese
- Don’t rush—deep dish needs time
🍽 How to Serve
Serve thick slices with:
- Simple green salad
- Pickled peppers
- Cold soda or iced tea
One slice is filling—this pizza is a meal.
🥄 Final Result
A golden, buttery crust, gooey cheese layers, hearty fillings, and bold tomato sauce—true Chicago-style deep dish pizza made at home.