Authentic Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza Recipe: No Bisquick or Baking Powder Required

Chicago-style deep dish pizza is a culinary delight that has won the hearts of food lovers worldwide. Its unique characteristics, such as the thick, buttery crust, chunky tomato sauce, and generous cheese layer, set it apart from other pizza styles. However, many recipes call for Bisquick or baking powder to achieve the crust’s signature fluffiness. But what if you want to make an authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza without these ingredients? Fear not, as we have a recipe that doesn’t require Bisquick or baking powder, yet delivers a pizza that’s every bit as delicious as the original.

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 1/4 cups water, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

For the sauce:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, grated or finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar

For the toppings:

• 1 1/2 pounds mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Preparing the Dough

Combine the flour, cornmeal, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Add the water and melted butter, and mix until a cohesive dough forms. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Let the dough rise at room temperature for about an hour or until it has doubled in size.

Preparing the Sauce

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, salt, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the onion has softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the tomatoes and sugar, and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Assembling and Baking the Pizza

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Roll out the dough and press it into a deep dish pizza pan. Spread the softened butter over the dough. Layer the mozzarella cheese over the dough, followed by the tomato sauce. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Drizzle with olive oil before serving.

This recipe delivers an authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza without the need for Bisquick or baking powder. The result is a pizza that’s rich, hearty, and incredibly satisfying. Enjoy!