Chicago deep-dish pizza with its thick, buttery crust, layers of mozzarella, and chunky tomato sauce is a Windy City family icon. This hearty, protein-rich pizza is a meal unto itself.
Combine flour, cornmeal, yeast, and salt in a bowl. Add melted butter and olive oil, then slowly incorporate warm water to form a dough. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Press dough into a well-buttered 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, stretching up the sides 2 inches high. Let rest for 15 minutes while you preheat oven to 425°F.
Layer mozzarella cheese evenly over the crust, followed by cooked Italian sausage and grated Parmesan cheese.
Mix crushed tomatoes, garlic, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Spoon sauce over the toppings without flooding—leave a ½ inch border.
Bake pizza for 30–35 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese bubbles. If the crust browns too quickly, tent with foil halfway through. Cool 10 minutes before slicing.