Description
This Deep-Dish Pizza Pie recipe features a rich, buttery crust layered with mozzarella and ricotta cheeses, topped with savory Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, and marinara sauce. Baked to golden perfection, it’s a hearty, comforting meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tsp instant yeast
Filling Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 lb cooked and crumbled Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, salt, and sugar until evenly combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Yeast: Pour in the melted butter, warm water, and instant yeast; stir well to form a dough.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for approximately 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
- Prepare the Dough for Baking: Roll out the risen dough to fit a deep-dish pizza pan, then press it firmly into the pan’s bottom and sides, creating the crust.
- Add Cheese Layers: Spread shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough as the base cheese layer, followed by a layer of ricotta cheese.
- Top with Sauce and Toppings: Pour marinara sauce over the ricotta, then scatter cooked Italian sausage, sliced bell peppers, and mushrooms across the pizza. Sprinkle Italian seasoning evenly on top.
- Finish with Parmesan: Generously sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over all the toppings.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the deep-dish pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Cool before Serving: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Make sure the water used for the dough is warm but not hot to activate the yeast properly.
- Pre-cook the Italian sausage fully before adding it to the pizza to ensure safety and flavor.
- You can customize toppings by adding other vegetables or meats according to preference.
- Allowing the pizza to cool slightly before slicing helps the cheese set and prevents toppings from sliding off.
- If you don’t have cornmeal, you can substitute with all-purpose flour for the dough base, though it may alter the texture slightly.
