Malnatti-Style Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Recipe: How to Make This Iconic Dish at Home

Introduction:

Chicago deep dish pizza is a beloved dish that originated in the windy city in the 1940s. It quickly became an icon of the city, with its thick buttery crust, gooey cheese, and delicious toppings. One of the most popular variations of this pizza is the Malnatti-style, named after its creator, Lou Malnatti. In this article, we will show you how to make the iconic Malnatti-style Chicago deep dish pizza at home, so you can enjoy this delicious dish with your family and friends.

Ingredients: For the dough:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup of yellow cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup of warm water
• 1/4 cup of warm milk
• 1 teaspoon of salt

For the filling:

• 1 pound of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese
• 1 pound of Italian sausage
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornmeal, sugar, and yeast.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter, vegetable oil, warm water, warm milk, and salt.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a towel. Let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours.
6. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
7. Brown the Italian sausage in a pan and set it aside.
8. Mix the diced tomatoes, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
9. Roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch and place it in a 9-inch deep dish pizza pan.
10. Add the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan cheese on top of the dough.
11. Add the browned Italian sausage on top of the cheese.
12. Pour the tomato mixture on top of the sausage.
13. Bake the pizza for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
14. Let the pizza cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

FAQs:

Q: What makes Malnatti-style Chicago deep dish pizza different from other variations of Chicago deep dish pizza? A: Malnatti-style Chicago deep dish pizza is known for its buttery crust, which is made with cornmeal and has a slightly sweet flavor. It also has a generous amount of cheese and toppings, making it a hearty and filling dish.

Q: Can I use a different type of cheese for this recipe? A: While mozzarella and parmesan cheese are the traditional cheeses used in this recipe, you can certainly experiment with other types of cheese if you prefer.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time and freeze it? A: Yes, you can make the dough