Mixin' Mom: Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

If you are craving a delicious deep dish pizza and have the time to make homemade pizza dough and sauce - this is the recipe for you! The dough made enough for 2 pizzas, so I made one deep dish pepperoni, and one with mushrooms and green peppers. A traditional Chicago style pizza is pretty much upside-down pizza if you ask me - you put your cheese on the bottom, your toppings and your sauce on top!

This pizza was a big hit in my family! Get creative and try other toppings - I know I will next time I make this.

Dough

- 3 1/4 cups flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp. yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, divided (1/4 cup melted, 1/4 cup softened)
- Olive oil for coating

Sauce

- 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 tsp. sugar

Toppings

- 4 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- pepperoni, pepper, mushrooms, sausage, bacon... etc.

For Dough:
1. Combine flour, cornmeal, salt, sugar and yeast in your KitchenAide Mixer with your dough hook attachment. Add the warm water and 1/4 cup of melted butter. Stir dough together on low speed until dough is soft and falls off the hook.
2. Remove your dough and form it into a ball. Place the ball of dough in a large mixing dough coated with olive oil. Cover the bowl tightly with foil and allow to rise for 1-2 hours in a warm environment.
3. Once dough is has risen, place it on a floured surface and knead it and roll it out to a large 15"x12" rectangle. Spread 1/4 cup of softened butter on top of the dough. Roll the dough lengthwise into a log and cut it in half. Form the two pieces of dough into balls and place them back into the greased mixing bowl. Place foil on top of the bowl and allow to rise in the refrigerator for an hour.

For Sauce:
1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add your onions, salt, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Allow onions to brown, about 5 minutes. Then add your garlic, tomatoes, and sugar. Turn the heat down to low-medium and allow sauce to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

For Pizza:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease 2 x 9 inch cake pans.
2. Roll out one ball of pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle.
3. Place dough over the cake pan and press the dough into the pan using your fingers.
4. Brush the edges of the dough with olive oil.
5. Repeat with second dough ball.
6. Place 2 cups of cheese on the bottom of each pan.
7. Add your pizza toppings.
8. Place half of your sauce, about 1 1/4 cups, on top of your toppings.
9. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese on top.
10. Bake for 25 minutes.