Chicago Deep Dish Pizza — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

The layering runs inside out here, so a real pizza flour and a good crushed tomato are what carry it: cheese on the crust, sauce on last. Press the dough up the sides of the pan and dock the base with a fork. Then bake it long enough to crisp the bottom under all that weight, so it never goes soggy.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 6 servings

Pizza flour

A high-protein 00 or bread flour gives the deep crust its structure under the load.

3.5 cups

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Fresh mozzarella

A real low-moisture mozzarella sliced thick lines the crust and seals it from the sauce.

1 lb

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Italian sausage

A good fennel sausage laid in a slab is the classic deep-dish filling.

1 lb

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Canned tomatoes

A good crushed tomato, barely cooked, is the chunky sauce that tops the pie.

1 large can

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Parmesan cheese

A hard grating parmesan finishes the top over the sauce.

half a cup

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Cornmeal, garlic, oregano

Cornmeal in the dough gives the crust its crunch; garlic and oregano season the sauce.

half a cup cornmeal

Cornmeal → Garlic →

The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat

A reasonable little indulgence. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time

EffortA project

Cook it with

Air fryerSheet pan

The Method

Make the doughMix flour, cornmeal, yeast, water, and a lot of softened butter; knead briefly and let it rise 1 hour until doubled.
Press the crustPress the dough into a buttered cast iron or deep pan and up the sides an inch and a half; dock the base with a fork.
Layer inside outLine the crust with thick slices of mozzarella, then press the raw sausage into a flat layer over the cheese.
Top with sauceSpread the crushed tomatoes seasoned with garlic and oregano over the sausage and dust with parmesan.
BakeBake at 425F for 30-35 minutes until the crust is deep golden and the center bubbles; rest 10 minutes before cutting.

The Toolkit

Deep dish pan · Rolling pin · Box grater · Bench scraper

Straight Answers

Can you make Chicago Deep Dish Pizza in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze Chicago Deep Dish Pizza? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Chicago Deep Dish Pizza ahead of time? — Prep ahead

Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.

Is Chicago Deep Dish Pizza gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Chicago Deep Dish Pizza vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.673

Chicago Deep Dish Pizza, and where to source it