Chicago style pizza is more than just a dish—it’s a deep-rooted part of the city’s culinary culture. While pizza is enjoyed all over the world, Chicago has its own unique spin on this beloved classic. If you’ve ever had the chance to try a Chicago-style pizza, you’ll know that it’s unlike any other pizza you’ve tasted. With its thick crust, generous layers of cheese, and savory sauce, this pizza offers a different experience than the thin-crust varieties commonly found in other parts of the U.S.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into what makes Chicago-style pizza so special. We’ll explore its history, the differences between its various styles, the ingredients, and how to make this iconic pizza at home. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a first-time taster, this article will guide you through the world of real Chicago-style pizza.
A Brief History of Chicago-Style Pizza
Chicago-style pizza is a proud creation of the Windy City, dating back to the 1940s. It all began at a small pizzeria called Pizzeria Uno, founded by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo. They wanted to create a pizza that was both filling and unique, so they invented a pizza that was baked in a deep pan, which became known as “deep-dish pizza.”
This innovation was a radical departure from the thin, Neapolitan-style pizza that was common in the U.S. at the time. The pizza quickly became popular, and other pizzerias in Chicago began to adopt and adapt the style. As the decades passed, deep-dish pizza became synonymous with the city of Chicago itself, and it’s now one of the most iconic dishes in American cuisine.
Chicago-style pizza isn’t just about the food; it’s also about community. It’s a meal meant to be shared, often with friends and family, over long, leisurely meals. This reflects the city’s social culture—where food and community are at the heart of every gathering.
The Anatomy of a Real Chicago-Style Pizza
When most people think of Chicago-style pizza, they immediately picture a deep, thick crust with a hearty amount of cheese and a rich tomato sauce. While these are key elements, Chicago-style pizza is not just about the layers; it’s also about the balance and the way the ingredients come together to create a harmonious whole. Let’s break down what makes this pizza so distinct.
The Crust: A Thick, But Flaky Foundation
The crust is one of the most defining features of Chicago-style pizza. It’s thick, but not in a heavy, doughy way. It’s buttery and flaky, almost like a pie crust. Unlike the chewy dough found in traditional pizza, Chicago-style pizza’s crust is crispier and more substantial, providing the perfect foundation for the layers of cheese, sauce, and toppings.
The dough is made with a combination of flour, cornmeal, yeast, and butter. The addition of cornmeal helps give the crust a slightly gritty texture, which enhances its crispiness and adds to the overall flavor. The dough is pressed into a deep dish pan and baked at a high temperature to achieve its characteristic crunch.
The Cheese: A Layered Affair
Chicago-style pizza is known for its generous layers of cheese. The cheese used is typically mozzarella, and it’s often layered directly onto the crust. But what sets Chicago-style pizza apart from other pizzas is how the cheese is used. In most traditional pizzas, the cheese is sprinkled on top of the other ingredients, but in Chicago-style pizza, the cheese goes directly onto the dough and is then topped with a thick layer of toppings and sauce.
In many cases, the cheese is a blend of mozzarella and provolone, which adds a creamier texture and depth of flavor. The cheese is spread out evenly across the pizza, ensuring that every bite is cheesy, gooey, and delicious.
The Sauce: Rich and Flavorful
The sauce of a Chicago-style pizza is another crucial component. Unlike the tangy, sometimes sweet sauces of New York-style pizzas, the sauce on Chicago-style pizza is more robust and savory. It’s often made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, and a blend of Italian herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme. The sauce is chunky and flavorful, and it’s typically spread on top of the cheese, rather than under it. This layering helps keep the sauce from soaking into the crust, maintaining its integrity as the pizza bakes.
The sauce is also usually seasoned with a heavier hand than other types of pizza sauces. The richness of the sauce balances out the richness of the cheese, creating a pizza that’s packed with flavor in every bite.
The Toppings: Layers of Flavor
While deep-dish pizza is known for its cheese and sauce, the toppings are what allow it to stand out even more. Chicago-style pizza often features a variety of fresh, high-quality ingredients, and these toppings are layered carefully within the pizza. Whether you prefer pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, or green peppers, each topping is placed strategically to ensure that the pizza is bursting with flavor in every bite.
One common topping in Chicago-style pizza is Italian sausage, which is often spread in crumbles across the pizza. This gives the pizza a savory depth that complements the cheese and sauce. Other popular toppings include bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms, all of which add a fresh and earthy element to the pizza.
The Baking Process: Slow and Steady
Baking a Chicago-style pizza is an art in itself. The pizza is baked in a deep pan, which allows the dough to rise up along the sides of the pan, forming a sturdy crust. The deep dish also ensures that the layers of cheese, sauce, and toppings cook evenly and slowly.
It’s important to bake the pizza at a high temperature for a long period of time. This slow baking process allows the crust to crisp up, while the cheese melts and the sauce bubbles to perfection. It also ensures that the flavors have time to blend together, making every bite rich and satisfying.
The Size: Large and Filling
Chicago-style pizzas are usually large and thick, often weighing in at several pounds per pizza. The pizza is meant to be filling, and it’s common for people to enjoy it in small slices, sharing it among friends and family. Due to its size and richness, it’s often considered more of a meal than a snack.
The Deep-Dish vs. The Stuffed Pizza
When people think of Chicago-style pizza, they often think of deep-dish pizza, but there’s another style that’s equally popular: stuffed pizza. While both styles share similar characteristics, such as the thick crust and generous layers, stuffed pizza has an extra layer of dough on top of the toppings, which makes it even more filling.
Stuffed pizza is like a pizza pie, with a second layer of dough sealing in the sauce, cheese, and toppings. It’s often thicker and more pie-like than deep-dish pizza, but both styles are equally iconic in Chicago’s pizza history.
The Debate: Is Chicago-Style Pizza Really Pizza?
Some pizza purists argue that Chicago-style pizza, particularly deep-dish and stuffed pizza, isn’t actually pizza at all. They argue that because the crust is so thick and the pizza is more like a casserole than a traditional flatbread pizza, it doesn’t fit the classic definition of pizza.
However, supporters of Chicago-style pizza defend it as an authentic pizza variety that has its roots in the city’s culture and culinary history. Chicago-style pizza has become so iconic that it’s now recognized worldwide, even by those who may not necessarily agree with its classification as “pizza.” For many, the debate is less about labels and more about celebrating the unique flavors and techniques that define this particular style.
How to Make Chicago-Style Pizza at Home
If you’re craving a real Chicago-style pizza but can’t make it to the Windy City, don’t worry. Making it at home is easier than you might think. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started.
Ingredients
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3 cups of all-purpose flour
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1 tablespoon cornmeal
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1 tablespoon sugar
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1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
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1 ½ cups warm water
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1/4 cup olive oil
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1 teaspoon salt
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2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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1 cup shredded provolone cheese
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1 pound Italian sausage (crumbled)
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1 cup sliced mushrooms
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1 bell pepper (sliced)
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1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
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1 teaspoon oregano
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1 teaspoon basil
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix the yeast and warm water, letting it activate for about 5 minutes. Add the olive oil to the yeast mixture and then combine with the dry ingredients. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth. Let it rise for about an hour in a warm place.
Make the Sauce: In a pan, sauté garlic in olive oil. Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and garlic powder. Let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Assemble the Pizza: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Roll out the dough to fit a 9-inch deep-dish pizza pan. Press the dough into the pan, making sure it covers the sides. Layer the mozzarella cheese, sausage, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Pour the sauce over the top, ensuring it’s evenly spread.
Bake the Pizza: Bake the pizza for about 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Conclusion
Chicago-style pizza is a true reflection of the city’s spirit—bold, rich, and full of flavor. Whether you’re enjoying a deep-dish pizza with friends or making it at home, this iconic dish offers a unique and satisfying take on pizza that’s unlike anything else. It’s more than just food; it’s a piece of Chicago’s history and culture, and a pizza that’s as satisfying as it is unforgettable.
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