Chicago-Style Stuffed Pizza

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. + rising Bake: 30 min.

Makes

8 slices

Updated: Jun. 10, 2022
I rate this hearty double-crust pizza as excellent. Favorite fillings are tucked inside, and tasty tomato sauce tops the pie. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Chicago-Style Stuffed Pizza Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2-1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage
  • 1 small green pepper, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
  • 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1/3 cup chopped pepperoni
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar; let stand for 5 minutes. Add oil and salt. Add 1-1/2 cups flour and cornmeal; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
  2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 4-5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl; turn once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  3. Punch dough down; let rest for 5 minutes. Divide into two portions, one slightly larger than the other. On a lightly floured surface, roll out larger portion to a 12-in. circle. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased 10-in. ovenproof skillet.
  4. Preheat oven to 375°. In a large skillet, cook sausage, green pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, Parmesan cheese and oregano. Add to prepared crust.
  5. On a lightly floured surface, roll remaining dough into an 11-in. circle. Place over pizza; seal edges. Cut four slits in top. Bake 30-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Spread with tomato sauce.
Editor's Note: 1 pound of ready-made pizza dough may be used instead of the homemade dough in the recipe.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 379 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 906mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein.