Vegetarian Deep Dish Pizza

Our Vegetarian Deep Dish Pizza brings the veggies and cheese to a soft-crusted, Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Meat lovers can't deny this is an epic pizza! | Curious CuisiniereYield: 1 (10 inch) pizza

📝 Ingredients

• 1 1/4 c water, (warmed to 100F)
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast ((1 packet))
• 1/4 c olive oil
• 3 1/2 c unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 c cornmeal
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 c (16 oz) crushed tomatoes, (drained)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/4 tsp oregano
• 3/4 tsp marjoram
• 1 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 c mozzarella or provolone cheese, (shredded)
• 1/2 green pepper, (diced)
• 1/2 onion, (diced)
• 1/2 c black olives, (sliced)
• 4 oz mushrooms, (sliced)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- For the Pizza Crust ---
2. 2In a Bread Machine – Add crust ingredients to the bread pan of your bread machine, following the manufacturer’s instructions for the dough setting. (Don’t be afraid to open the lid to check on it during the first knead. The dough should come together to a nice, soft and slightly tacky ball. If the dough looks too moist, add more flour a teaspoon at a time. If it looks too dry, add warm water a Tbsp at a time.)When the dough is done, remove it from the bread machine.
3. 3By Hand – In a large bowl, mix together warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes, until yeast dissolves and begins to foam. Add oil, flour, cornmeal, and salt. Mix by hand or on low speed with a dough hook until a soft dough comes together, 5-7 minutes by hand or 3-5 minutes in a stand mixer. Place in a greased bowl and over loosely with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Set in a warm place to rise until doubled (1 hour).
4. 4--- Making the Pizza ---
5. 5Preheat your oven to 450F.
6. 6Punch down the risen dough, cover ti loosely and let it rest for 5-10 minutes while you prepare the sauce and pan.
7. 7To make the sauce: Mix together crushed tomatoes and herbs. Set aside.
8. 8Lightly oil the inside of a 10” spring form pan or deep dish pizza pan with olive oil.
9. 9Place the dough into the bottom of the pan, and press it gently until it covers the entire bottom and sides of the pan. (If the dough resists stretching, cover and let rest for 15-20 minutes before trying again.)
10. 10Sprinkle 1 ½ c of cheese over the bottom of the dough. Add chopped veggies over the cheese. Spread the crushed tomato sauce over the veggies.
11. 11Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the crust is golden.
12. 12Remove from the oven and top with the remaining 1/2 c cheese.
13. 13Return the pizza to the oven and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
14. 14Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 3-5 minutes before removing the sides of the spring form pan and serving.