Cheesy Deep-Dish Pizza with Fresh Basil
Ingredients:
For the dough:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
1 cup warm water (110°F)
¼ cup olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp cornmeal (optional, for the crust texture)
For the sauce:
2 cups crushed tomatoes
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp sugar
For the filling:
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil leaves, cut into strips (for garnish)
For the crust:
Olive oil (for greasing the pan)
Instructions:
Prepare the dough:
In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
Stir in flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix to form a dough.
Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until smooth, then cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
Make the sauce:
Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
Assemble the pizza:
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Grease a 9-inch deep-dish pizza pan with olive oil.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and stretch it into a circle to fit the pan, pressing the dough up the sides of the pan.
Spread a layer of mozzarella cheese on the bottom of the crust, followed by a generous amount of sauce.
Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, ensuring the cheese covers the sauce entirely.
Bake the pizza:
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned on top.
Finish and serve:
Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil strips.
Slice and enjoy your cheesy, indulgent deep-dish pizza!