Living in Chicago for many years, their deep dish pizza was one of my favorite treats. What makes Chicago-style deep dish pizza so legendary? It’s not just a pizza—it’s an experience. With its thick, buttery crust, layers of gooey cheese, bold toppings, and a rich, tomato sauce sitting proudly on top, every bite is a perfect balance of crispy, cheesy, and saucy goodness. Whether you’re a longtime deep-dish lover or trying it for the first time, this homemade version brings the iconic flavors of Chicago right to your kitchen.
What Makes Deep Dish Pizza Unique?
Unlike traditional pizzas, Chicago deep-dish is built differently:
✔ A Buttery, Thick Crust – More like a flaky pie crust than a classic pizza dough, it’s sturdy enough to hold all the delicious layers.
✔ Cheese on the Bottom, Sauce on Top – A reverse layering method prevents the cheese from burning while allowing the rich, chunky tomato sauce to shine.
✔ Baked in a Deep Pan – Usually made in a cast-iron skillet or deep-dish pan, giving it its signature structure and crispy edges.
It’s a true pizza lover’s dream, combining everything great about pizza into a hearty, fork-worthy dish.
The Ingredients You’ll Need:
To create an authentic deep-dish pizza, you’ll need:
For the Dough:
• all-purpose flour – The base of a perfect crust.
• cornmeal – Adds texture and that signature deep-dish flavor.
• salt – Enhances the taste.
• sugar – Balances the flavors.
• instant yeast – Helps the dough rise.
• warm water – Activates the yeast.
• melted butter – Gives the crust its signature buttery richness.
For the Sauce:
I used a can of Hunts brand basil tomato sauce. It made everything quick and easy.
For the Toppings:
Choose whatever toppings you and your family enjoys. I used turkey pepperoni, beef bacon, onion and green pepper. I also used sliced mozzarella and provolone cheeses.
How to Make Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
How to Make Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
1️⃣ Prepare the Dough
• Mix the flour, cornmeal, salt, sugar, and yeast. Add warm water and melted butter, then knead until smooth.
• Let it rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
2️⃣ Make the Sauce
• I just doctored up the canned tomato sauce with herbs, salt and pepper.
3️⃣ Assemble the Pizza
• Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).
• Press the dough into a deep, greased pizza pan or cast-iron skillet, making sure it comes up the sides.
• Layer mozzarella and provolone on the bottom.
• Add your favorite toppings (sausage, pepperoni, veggies).
• Spoon the thick tomato sauce over everything.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for a perfect finish.
4️⃣ Bake & Serve
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden and crispy.
• Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing—then dig in!
Tips for the Best Deep-Dish Pizza
💡 Don’t Skip the Cornmeal – It adds the perfect crunch to the crust.
💡 Use Whole Mozzarella – Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
💡 Let It Rest – Allowing the pizza to cool slightly before slicing ensures clean, picture-perfect layers.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This homemade Chicago-style deep dish pizza is bold, hearty, and absolutely irresistible. It’s great for:
✔ Pizza Night with the Family – A fun, hands-on recipe to make together.
✔ Impressing Guests – It’s not your average pizza—it’s a showstopper!
✔ A Satisfying, Comforting Meal – Perfect for cold nights, game days, or any time you crave indulgence.
Forget takeout—this homemade version rivals even the best pizzerias in Chicago!
Let’s Make Some Pizza!
Have you ever tried making deep-dish pizza at home? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Drop a comment below or tag me on social media when you make this ultimate comfort food classic. 🍕✨
Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza
Equipment
- 2 9 in Spring Form Pans
- 1 Stand Mixer
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 3 & 1/4 C flour
- 1/2 C yellow cornmeal
- 1 & 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 & 1/4 tsp yeast
- 1 & 1/4 C slightly warm water
- 1/4 C butter melted
- olive oil for coating
Pizza Toppings
- Sliced Cheese I used provolone and mozzarella
- 1 Can Hunts Basil Tomato Sauce I doctor this sauce up with my favorite ingredients
- Toppings of choice
Instructions
- Add your flour, cornmeal, salt, sugar, yeast, melted butter and warm water to mixer.
- Mix everything with the dough hook until dough is smooth and on the dough hook.
- Add olive oil on top of dough and cover.
- Let dough rest for 90 minutes.
- This is enough dough for 2-9 inch deep dish pizzas
- Spread crust out in bottom of pan and up on sides
- Layer cheese at the bottom (I used provolone and mozzarella)
- Add toppings of choice
- Top it off with sauce and Parmesan cheese
- Bake in the oven at 450 for 25 minutes
