Chicago Style Pizza

The biggest difference between normal pizza and a Chicago style pizza is how you build it. We'll start with an easy pizza dough recipe. The crust will line the bottom of the pan. Then we will top it with a generous amount of Mozzarella cheese and our toppings, second layer of crust on top of that, and we'll top it off with a chunky spicy marinara sauce recipe. Sprinkle the top with Parmesan and you have a perfectly delicious pizza unlike any other pizza!

Sauce Ingredients:

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper (adjust to liking)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 heaping tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Dough Ingredients:

1 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons Sugar
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup warm water
4 cups flour

Pizza Ingredients:

Directions:

Mix all ingredients for sauce in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.

Mix 1 1/2 tsp yeast with 3/4 cup warm water. Set aside.

Mix salt, sugar, oil, and warm water in medium mixing bowl. Add yeast mixture. Add 4 cups of flour. Stir just until moist.

Turn dough out onto counter top and set 1/3 of the dough aside. Roll out the 2/3 portion of the dough until it will extend two inches past all sides of the bottom of the pan.

Lightly oil the pan and place the rolled out dough in the pan. Layer your desired toppings and grated mozzarella cheese.

Roll out the 1/3 portion of the dough so it is as big as the pan. Place on top of the toppings.

Roll edges of dough down to form a crust all around. Cut slits in dough so the steam has a place to escape.

Pour sauce on top of pizza. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake on the bottom rack of oven for 10 min, and then middle rack for 20 min. at 450°.