Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

What is Chicago-style pizza? It's a lofty yeast dough topped lightly with tomato and generous portions of sausage and cheese.

Yield

12 servings

Ingredients

2 packages regular or active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (105°F to 115°F/41°C to 46°C)
6 cups Original Bisquick^® mix
1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil
8 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (32 ounces)
1 pound bulk Italian pork sausage, cooked and drained, or 2 (3.5 ounce) packages sliced pepperoni
vegetable toppings such as sliced fresh mushrooms, chopped green bell pepper or chopped onion,
sliced green onions, sliced ripe olives, sliced pimiento-stuffed olives, if desired
2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes with basil, well drained
2 to 4 tablespoons chopped fresh or 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves or Italian seasoning
1/2 to 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Move oven racks to lowest positions. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Grease 2 (15 x 10 x 1-inch) pans or 4 (9-inch) round cake pans with olive oil. In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in Bisquick mix and oil; beat vigorously 20 strokes.

Turn dough onto surface generously dusted with baking mix; gently roll in baking mix to coat. Knead about 60 times or until smooth and no longer sticky. Let dough rest 5 minutes. (At this point, dough can be covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.)

Divide dough in half. Pat each half of dough in bottom and up sides of pans. Or divide dough into fourths and press in bottom and up sides of round pans.

Reserve 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over crusts. Top with sausage, desired vegetable toppings and tomatoes. Sprinkle with oregano and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with the reserved mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes (switching top and bottom pans halfway through bake time) or until crust is brown and cheese is melted and bubbly. Immediately cut pizza into pieces. Let pizzas stand a few minutes for easier serving.

Estimated Time

Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Rise Time: 5 minutes
Bake Time: 25 minutes

Additional Information

When making dough ahead: Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, and turn dough over to grease all sides. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours. For easier shaping, let dough stand at room temperature at least 20 minutes.

Nutritional Information

Amount per serving: Calories 615 (Calories from Fat 305), Total Fat 34 g (Saturated Fat 14 g, Cholesterol 65 mg; Sodium 1760 mg; Total Carbohydrate 46 g (Dietary Fiber 2 g, Protein 33 g; Exchanges: 2 1/2 Starch; 1 Vegetable; 3 High-Fat Meat; 2 Fat

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