Ultimate Deep-Dish Italian Sausage Pizza
This Ultimate Deep-Dish Italian Sausage Pizza combines the traditions of Chicago-style pizza with a modern twist. The recipe's history traces back to a dedicated doctor who perfected it while delivering pizzas, ensuring that every layer is bursting with flavor. With a rich combination of aromatic herbs, hearty Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, and two types of gooey cheese lovingly melted between a thick-crust crust, every bite is a satisfying experience. Whether you're serving it for family gatherings or enjoying a cozy night in, this deep-dish pizza is destined to be a crowd-pleaser.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
27
Ingredients
Ingredients
white cornmeal
2 tablespoons (to sprinkle the pie pan)
active dry yeast
1 package (for activating)
sugar
1 teaspoon (for activating the yeast)
all-purpose flour
3 1/4 cups (for the dough)
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (for the dough)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for the dough)
Italian sausage
1 lb (removed from casing)
onions
2 medium (sliced)
green pepper
1 large (sliced or diced (can substitute with 1/2 red and 1/2 green for sweetness))
mushrooms
6 ounces (sliced)
black olives
1 slice (chopped)
flour
3 tablespoons (for binding filling)
fennel
1 1/2 teaspoons (finely ground (optional, adjust to preference))
dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons (for filling)
dried red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
salt
1 1/4 teaspoons (for filling)
mozzarella cheese
1 lb (grated)
Herkimer white cheddar cheese
1/2 lb (grated)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for sauce)
peeled whole tomatoes
16 ounces (for sauce)
tomato sauce
1 cup (for sauce)
tomato paste
1/4 cup (for sauce)
salt
1/8 teaspoon (for sauce)
fresh ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon (for sauce)
sugar
1 teaspoon (for sauce)
dried oregano
1 teaspoon (for sauce)
dried basil
1 teaspoon (for sauce)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
Grease a 14-inch deep-dish pie pan and sprinkle the bottom with white cornmeal to prevent sticking.
3
In a small bowl, combine the active dry yeast, sugar, and 1/4 cup of warm water. Let it stand for approximately 10 minutes or until it becomes bubbly and foamy.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until combined.
5
Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
6
Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 to 10 hours for optimal flavor development.
7
While the dough is resting, prepare the filling: Remove the casing from the Italian sausage and brown the meat in a skillet over medium heat. Break it into pieces and drain any excess grease.
8
In the same skillet, sauté the sliced onions, green peppers, and mushrooms until softened. Combine the sautéed vegetables with the browned sausage in a bowl.
9
Add the remaining filling ingredients (flour, fennel, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt) to the sausage mixture and mix well.
10
For the cheese topping, grate the mozzarella and white cheddar cheese, mixing them together in a separate bowl.
11
To assemble the pizza, roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface until it reaches an elastic state. Transfer the dough to the prepared pie pan, ensuring it covers the bottom and leaves a high rim.
12
Layer half of the grated cheese directly onto the dough, followed by the sausage and vegetable filling, then top with the remaining cheese and the prepared sauce.
13
Carefully place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
14
Allow the pizza to cool slightly before slicing. Enjoy your Ultimate Deep-Dish Italian Sausage Pizza!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Deep-Dish Italian Sausage Pizza?
It is a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza featuring a thick crust, hearty Italian sausage, sautéed vegetables, and a blend of mozzarella and Herkimer white cheddar cheese.
What is the history of this pizza recipe?
The recipe traces back to a dedicated doctor who perfected the layers of flavor while delivering pizzas.
At what temperature should I bake the deep-dish pizza?
The oven should be preheated and the pizza baked at 425°F (220°C).
How long does the pizza need to bake?
Bake the pizza for 45 to 50 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
What size pan is required for this recipe?
A 14-inch deep-dish pie pan is recommended.
How do I prevent the dough from sticking to the pan?
Grease the pan and sprinkle the bottom with two tablespoons of white cornmeal.
How long should I let the yeast mixture sit?
Let the yeast, sugar, and warm water stand for approximately 10 minutes until it becomes bubbly and foamy.
How long should the dough be refrigerated?
The dough should be refrigerated for 1 to 10 hours for optimal flavor development.
What type of flour is best for the dough?
This recipe uses 3 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour for the dough.
How should the Italian sausage be prepared?
Remove the casing, brown the meat in a skillet over medium heat, break it into pieces, and drain the excess grease.
Which vegetables are included in the filling?
The filling includes sliced onions, green peppers, mushrooms, and chopped black olives.
Can I use different colored peppers?
Yes, you can substitute the green pepper with half red and half green peppers for extra sweetness.
What cheeses are used in the topping?
A combination of grated mozzarella and Herkimer white cheddar cheese is used.
How do I season the sausage and vegetable filling?
Mix the sausage and vegetables with flour, fennel, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt.
Is the fennel required in the recipe?
Fennel is optional and can be adjusted to your personal preference.
What ingredients go into the pizza sauce?
The sauce is made from olive oil, peeled whole tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, pepper, sugar, oregano, and basil.
What is the correct order for layering the pizza?
Layer half of the cheese on the dough, then the sausage and vegetable filling, followed by the remaining cheese and finally the sauce.
What should I do if the pizza dough is too sticky while kneading?
Add flour one tablespoon at a time until the desired smooth and elastic consistency is reached.
Does the pizza need to cool before serving?
Yes, allow the pizza to cool slightly before slicing to ensure the layers stay intact.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 27 ingredients used across the dough, filling, and sauce.
What are the key tags for this recipe?
Key tags include deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style pizza, and comfort food.
Is this pizza suitable for a family dinner?
Absolutely, it is described as a crowd-pleaser destined for family gatherings or cozy nights in.
What makes the crust special?
The crust is thick and is prepared by rolling it out to form a high rim in a deep-dish pan.
Can I use active dry yeast for this recipe?
Yes, one package of active dry yeast is used to help the dough rise.
How much olive oil is used in the dough?
Two tablespoons of olive oil are mixed into the dough.
What type of tomatoes should I buy for the sauce?
The recipe calls for a 16-ounce container of peeled whole tomatoes.
How many mushrooms are needed?
The recipe requires 6 ounces of sliced mushrooms.
Why is flour added to the sausage and vegetable mixture?
Three tablespoons of flour are added to help bind the filling together.
What spices are in the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and fresh ground black pepper.
What is the role of sugar in the yeast mixture?
One teaspoon of sugar is used to help activate the yeast.