Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 batch pizza dough
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 medium bell pepper
• 1 medium onion
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. 2

   In a skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, add 1 pound of Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.

3. 3

   Add 1 medium chopped onion and 1 medium chopped bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, then remove from heat.

5. 5

   Roll out the pizza dough into a large circle, about 14 inches in diameter. Grease a 12-inch deep dish pizza pan with olive oil and sprinkle 1 cup of cornmeal on the bottom.

6. 6

   Place the rolled-out dough in the pan, pressing it up the sides to create a crust. Trim any excess dough hanging over the edges.

7. 7

   Layer 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the bottom of the crust.

8. 8

   Add the sausage and vegetable mixture on top of the cheese, spreading it out evenly.

9. 9

   Pour 2 cups of tomato sauce over the sausage and vegetables, spreading it evenly.

10. 10

    Sprinkle 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese on top of the sauce.

11. 11

    Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

12. 12

    Remove from the oven and let the pizza cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve hot.