Skip the flight and bring iconic Chicago flavor straight to your kitchen with this ultimate deep dish pizza recipe. If you’ve ever dreamed of biting into a golden, thick, buttery crust loaded with layers of melted cheese, zesty homemade sauce, and savory toppings—you’re in the right place. From the aromatic basil-laced dough to the rich Italian sausage and bubbling mozzarella, this deep dish pizza captures that authentic pizzeria vibe. Once you taste it, you’ll never settle for frozen or delivery again.
Ingredients for Homemade Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
PIZZA DOUGH:
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1 packet (1/4 oz. or 7 g) fast-rising yeast
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1 cup (240 milliliters) warm water
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1 tablespoon (13 g) sugar
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1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
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1 teaspoon (1 g) dried basil
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1/2 teaspoon (1.5 g) garlic powder
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2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
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1/4 cup (60 milliliters) vegetable oil
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3 tablespoons (18 g) grated Parmesan cheese
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3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
PIZZA SAUCE:
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1 can (6 oz. or 170 g) tomato paste with Italian herbs (such as Contadina)
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1 can (14.5 oz. or 411 g) stewed tomatoes, mostly drained (such as Del Monte)
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1/4 tablespoon (1 g) garlic powder
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1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) oregano
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1/4 teaspoon (1 g) sugar
PIZZA TOPPINGS:
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1 pound (0.45 kg) mild Italian sausage, crumbled
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1 container (8 oz. or 227 g) fresh mushrooms, sliced
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1 medium green bell pepper, diced or julienned
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1 medium shallot, halved and very thinly sliced
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36 slices pepperoni
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1 can (2.25 oz. or 64 g) sliced black olives, drained
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1 2/3 cups (about 395 milliliters) homemade pizza sauce (from recipe above)
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3 teaspoons (6 g) grated Parmesan cheese
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2 pounds (0.9 kg) shredded mozzarella cheese
How to Make Deep Dish Pizza Chicago Style
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Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, sugar, and salt. Let it sit until foamy. Add in both oils, basil, garlic powder, and half the flour. Beat for 10 minutes. Add the remaining flour and Parmesan cheese. Using a dough hook, mix until fully incorporated, then knead on medium speed for 10–12 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides. Transfer to a large oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Punch down, allow to rise again, then roll out on a floured surface. Makes two 12-inch (30 cm) pizzas or one deep dish.
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Make the sauce: In a blender or food processor, pulse all sauce ingredients until blended but still slightly chunky.
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Assemble the pizza: Brown the sausage in a skillet and drain on paper towels. In a small bowl, combine chopped peppers and shallots, sprinkle lightly with water, cover with a paper towel, and microwave for about 1 minute until slightly softened. Roll out the dough thinly and place in a 9-inch (23 cm) wide, 3-inch (7.5 cm) deep oiled cast iron skillet, allowing the dough to come up the sides and hang over by about 1 inch (2.5 cm).
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Layering: Reserve 3/4 pound (340 g) of mozzarella and 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) of sauce for the final top layer. Begin with a 1-inch (2.5 cm) deep layer of mozzarella at the base. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Parmesan. Add half the toppings of your choice, layering a bit of mozzarella between each. Drizzle with about 2/3 cup (160 milliliters) of sauce. Add another layer of mozzarella about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick and another 1 teaspoon Parmesan. Repeat the topping process using remaining ingredients, saving the top cheese and sauce portions for later.
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Top and bake: Add the final 2/3 cup (160 milliliters) of sauce and top with the reserved 3/4 pound (340 g) of mozzarella. Roll the overhanging dough inward along the skillet’s edge and brush lightly with oil. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, top with the last 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) of sauce, and bake an additional 5 minutes. Let the pizza rest before slicing to allow layers to settle.
A Pizza Worth Every Bite
From the golden, buttery crust to the bubbling layers of mozzarella and rich sausage-packed sauce, this deep dish pizza is nothing short of a masterpiece. It’s the kind of meal that turns dinner into an event and leftovers into treasures. Perfect for family nights, date nights, or whenever you’re craving serious comfort food—Chicago style. Fire up your oven and let your kitchen become your new favorite pizza joint.
