Deep Dish Pizza

By cindygwest

Ingredients

• FOR THE DOUGH, COMBINE:
• 3 ⁄4 cup warm water (105–115°)
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 pkg. active dry yeast (.25 oz. or 2 1/4 tsp.)
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• MIX:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ⁄3 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2 tsp. kosher salt
• FOR THE FILLING, BROWN:
• 2 cups quartered button mushrooms (8 oz.)
• 3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
• Salt to taste
• SAUTÉ:
• 8 oz. bulk Italian sausage
• 2 cups sliced onion
• 2 cups sliced red bell pepper
• 2 Tbsp. minced garlic
• 1 ⁄2 tsp. red pepper flakes
• COMBINE:
• 2 cups shredded fresh mozzarella, divided
• 1 ⁄2 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 ⁄2 cup sliced fresh basil
• 2 oz. sliced pepperoni
• 4 oz. sliced ham

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

For the dough, combine water, sugar, and yeast. Proof yeast mixture until foamy, about 5 minutes, then add 2 Tbsp. oil.

Mix flour, cornmeal, and 2 tsp. salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook; add yeast mixture. Knead dough on low speed until smooth, 10 minutes. (If kneading by hand, knead for the same amount of time.)

Form dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1 hour. Punch dough down and reshape into a ball. Return dough to oiled bowl, cover, and let rise again, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 450° with rack in lowest position. Coat a 9-inch cast-iron skillet with 1–2 tsp. oil.

Divide dough in half; wrap one half in plastic and freeze for later use. Roll remaining ball into a 12-inch circle, about 1⁄4 -inch thick. Line prepared skillet with dough, dock the bottom and sides with a fork, and blind bake until golden, 10–12 minutes.

For the filling, brown mushrooms in 2 Tbsp. oil in a sauté pan over high heat, 3–4 minutes; season with salt and transfer to a bowl. Reduce heat to medium-high.

Sauté sausage in 1 Tbsp. oil in the same pan, 2 minutes. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, and pepper flakes; cook until soft, 10 minutes.

Combine sausage mixture, mushrooms, 1 cup mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and pepperoni. Line prebaked crust with ham, add filling, and top with remaining mozzarella. Bake pizza until crust is brown and cheese melts, 30–35 minutes.