Description
A thick, buttery crust filled with layers of gooey mozzarella, savory Italian sausage, pepperoni, rich tomato sauce, and topped with golden melted cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (110°F / 45°C)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for filling)
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup pepperoni slices
- 3 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for sauce)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp sugar (for sauce)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit until foamy (5–10 minutes). Add olive oil, butter, flour, cornmeal, and salt. Mix into a dough. Knead for 7–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise for 1 hour, until doubled.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a saucepan, heat olive oil. Sauté onion until softened, then add garlic. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until thickened. Stir in fresh herbs.
- Assemble the Pizza: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a deep-dish pizza pan or cast iron skillet with butter or oil. Roll out dough and press into the pan, letting it go up the sides. Layer in this order: Mozzarella cheese (base layer to prevent soggy crust), cooked sausage & pepperoni, Parmesan cheese, tomato sauce (spread evenly on top), extra mozzarella & pepperoni slices (optional for topping).
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing (this keeps the layers set).
Notes
- For a spicier pizza, use spicy Italian sausage and add more red pepper flakes.
- Let the pizza cool slightly before slicing to maintain the layers.
- Feel free to customize the toppings to your preference.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg