Chicago Style Deep-Dish Pizza

Ingredients

Pizza dough

1 batch (homemade or store-bought)

Olive oil

2 tablespoons

Italian sausage

1 pound, casings removed

Onion

1 medium, diced

Green bell pepper

1 medium, diced

Garlic

3 cloves, minced

Canned crushed tomatoes

28 ounces

Dried oregano

1 teaspoon

Dried basil

1 teaspoon

Salt

1/2 teaspoon

Black pepper

1/4 teaspoon

Mozzarella cheese

2 cups, shredded

Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup, grated

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Grease a deep-dish pizza pan (approximately 14 inches) with olive oil.
3. Roll out the pizza dough into a large circle and then press it into the pan, making sure to cover the bottom and sides. The dough should come up about an inch from the edge of the pan.
4. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 4-5 minutes.
6. In a separate bowl, combine the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to incorporate the flavors.
7. Spread the tomato mixture evenly over the pizza dough, creating a thick layer.
8. Layer the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture over the tomato sauce.
9. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool for about 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.