Is there anything better than homemade pizza? I love the whole process, including the anticipation as you wait for it to cook. This month Lina is hosting the May Pizza Challenge, and I couldn’t resist joining in. I simply love making my own pizza and it is such a treat for my family. I almost always make garlic knots to give them the whole experience. I decided to make a deep dish pizza, using my own dough recipe. It is a very nice deep dish pizza, and is super easy to make. I decided to stick with a cheese pizza and a homemade sauce. Although I enjoy toppings, sometimes it is just nice to have a cheese pizza. I hope you enjoy this recipe 😀
I am excited to bring this pizza to Fiesta Friday #120! The lovely cohosts this week are Loretta @ Safari of the Mind and Linda @ Fabulous Fare Sisters
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour (I use unbleached)
- 1/4 cup cornmeal
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. active dry yeast (right under 1 packet)
- 1 1/4 cup warm water (not hot)
- 1 tsp. honey
- 3 Tbsp olive oil (I use extra virgin) and more for greasing bowls and pans
Sauce and Toppings
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 8 to 10 oz. grated mozzarella cheese
- 2 oz. grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sift the flour and then add the cornmeal and salt, and stir well with a whisk.
- Add the warm water to a warmed mixer bowl and sprinkle yeast on top. Let sit for 3-5 minutes and then stir around to finish dissolving.
- Add the olive oil, honey, and flour mixture. Using the dough hook, mix on low until the dough comes together (about 1 minute). If using the mixer to knead, continue on low for 4 minutes (checking it along the way). The dough should be slightly sticky, soft, and spring back when poked. Form a ball and place in an oiled bowl and lightly oil the dough on top. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.
- Generously oil your pan or pans of choice ( I used 2 9 in. round stoneware pie pans) with at least 1/2 Tbsp of oil per pan. I sometimes use a 10 x 15.5 in. rectangular stoneware baking sheet, and I use 1 Tbsp of oil on it. Ensure whatever pan you use, is at least 1 in. deep on the sides.
- Remove the dough and gently place on a floured surface, and pat down into a rectangle. Cut into 2 equal pieces (if using a rectangular pan, keep it in one piece). Gently roll or pat out the dough into a circle, which is a little larger than your pie pan. Lift the dough and place it in the pan. Using both hands, form the dough to the pan and form a crust. Cut excess dough off with scissors as needed, as you are forming the crust. I only went halfway up in my pie pans, but if you are using a pan which is 1 in deep, you will want to have your crust formed to the top.
- Cover and let rest for at least 15 minutes. While the dough is resting, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Don't forget to use up that left-over pizza dough, and make garlic knots.
- Gently brush a thin layer of sauce on the dough and place in the oven for about 5 minutes, to start cooking the bottom. It should just start to cook when removed from the oven. You don' t want any browning.
- Add the pizza sauce evenly over the dough and top with cheeses and favorite toppings. Place back in the oven, and cook for 17-20 minutes. You are looking for the bottom to be a light golden brown, and the top crust to be golden brown. If the top is cooking too fast, you may have to gently place a large piece of aluminum foil over the top (not touching the cheese), so that you can control the browning. If the bottom hasn't browned when the pizza is ready, gently remove it from the pan and place it directly on the lowest rack for a minute or two watching it closely.
- Remove the pizza and let it rest for a couple of minutes before cutting, and enjoy!
I love a good deep dish pizza Antonia!! Looks delicious! 🙂
Me too 😀 Thank you Linda!
oh so yummy!
Thank you Eddie!
you’re welcome
😀
Yum-Yum!!! x
Thank you Cheryl 😀
xx
😀
I’m there 🙂
Thanks Joseph! Pizza is hard to resist 😀
Except for some store bought ones that taste just as good as the cardboard box they are packaged in lol
Yes, so true 😉
🙂
I shared With my daughter for her husband as he will love it!! Looks comforting in its deliciousness and the cheesiness. Mmmmmm
That’s awesome, I hope they enjoy it! Thank you Ruth 😀
Oh my Antonia, this looks simply mouthwatering! Cheese pizza is my favorite, followed closely by black olives and sausage toppings 🙂 I’ve never attempted to make my own pizza dough before, but I must say that you make it sound feasible. Is it truly as simple as you make it sound?! I may have to give this a try.
Thank you so much Heather! It really is easy. I find pizza dough to be the easiest type of dough and it is so rewarding. I hope you get a chance to try it out 😀
YYUUUUUUUMMMMMM! This looks fantastic! I feel the same about homemade pizza. Usually make it once a week with my canned sauce. It’s so nice to do it all yourself. I’ve never done deep dish though, this looks great!! Great job!
Aww, thank you Cynthia! Isn’t it great to make your own pizza? I bet your family loves pizza night! Deep dish is a nice treat for sure 🙂 Thank you again!
Yumm! Looks fabulous, Antonia 🙂
Thank you so much Freda! Have a great week 😀
Antonia, so sorry for replying so late…I am very behind in my blog reading, I just don’t seem to have enough hours in a day, lately. Hope you are well. Your deep dish cheese pizza, looks absolutely divine. I love deep dish pizza’s, so will be giving this a bash 🙂
You are so sweet Lynne 🙂 I completely understand, I am getting behind a lot as well. Thank you for the kind words and have a wonderful week 😀
I adore pizza. I would eat it everyday if I could. Yours looks delicious!
I would too Francesca 😛 I love a slice of pizza and a salad. Thank you so much, and have a fantastic week!
This looks fantastic Antonia!
Thank you Lynn!
looks so yummy
It went fast 😀 Thanks Lynn!
I am sure!
😀
Love a good deep dish pizza, and yours would just hit the spot for me. Thanks so much for bringing it along to this week’s Fiesta. I know the everyone loves a good pizza 🙂
Thank you Loretta! I’m so glad you could stop by 😀
Wow! I love this kind of pizza!!
Thank you Jhuls! Me too 😀
I’m coming over for pizza party hahaa 💕looks so yum!
See you soon..lol 😀 Thank you!
I made your lovely special pizza & loved making it in my kitchen,..My hubby & I devoured it all! So yummy too! xxx
That’s great Sophie! I am so glad you and your husband liked it. It makes me so happy to hear that 😀
I prepare deep dish pizza often. This one looks so delicious and YUM! I will try your recipe soon 🙂
Thank you Kushi! I would love to hear how you like it, if you try it 😀 Have a great day!
This just has my name all over it! I love pizza and this one is a beauty!
Haha! Thank you Julie!