Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Gino S Copycat

Gino’s Deep Dish Pizza Copycat

Years ago, I watched a big special about Gino’s East Italian Restaurant on the Travel Channel and couldn’t wait to try it on my upcoming trip to Chicago. I had a few things on my Chicago to do list, but going to Gino’s East (along with seeing the giant bean and taking an architecture tour by boat) was an absolute must. Gino’s East was everything I had imagined it would be and MORE. Believe the hype. It’s THAT good!

Ingredients in Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Crust:

Water Yeast Corn oil Sugar Cream of tartar Bread Flour

Pizza Sauce:

Plum Tomatoes, Roma or San Marzano tomatoes Salt Basil Oregano Black pepper

Toppings:

Low-moisture part skim mozzarella cheese (NOT low fat) Pepperoni Italian sausage

Optional Toppings:

Ham Mushrooms Red Onions White Onions Olives Red Peppers Green Peppers Pineapple Spinach Grated Parmesan Cheese Red Pepper Flakes Garlic Rosemary Fresh Basil

Preparing the Crust

In a large bowl, put water (luke warm), then yeast, oil, cream of tartar, and sugar. Mix with your hand until yeast dissolves. Pour in bread flour a little at a time. Mix with your hand. Just curve your hand like a dough hook, hold the bowl and mix. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook on low speed. Then, knead it until it gets firm. Add more flour if needed. The secret is the kneading. Knead it for about 10 minutes straight. Then, roll it into a ball and put it in a lightly oiled bowl. Next, Cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. Let sit overnight unrefrigerated. Only let it rise once. Finally, Portion and use.

Reader Suggestions for the Crust

Some of our readers have had some great suggestions on how to make the crust more identical to Gino’s. We love the crust recipe that we use and think is tastes much like Gino’s, but not living in Chicago, we can’t say it is identical to the original. We have had rave reviews about this pizza so we don’t want to make any changes to our original recipe. However, here are some of our reader’s suggestions if you would like to try them: “You actually need a combination of cornmeal or semolina flour to mix in with your all purpose flour. In addition, you need a combination of EVOO and Corn oil. Yes, corn oil is roughly 95% of it, however, it will make a difference. Try the following that we found years ago and have been perfecting for the last 15 years.Six cups all purpose flour (5 cups All Purpose / 1 cup semolina or yellow corn meal)Two cups cold water2 teaspoons dry yeast2 tablespoons brown sugar2/3 cup oil (95% corn oil/ 5% EVOO)2 teaspoons cream of tartarThis is the spot on recipe. Compare the two and let me know. Enjoy.” -Heath H. “There’s no semolina or corn meal in Gino’s East dough formulation. You are missing some yellow food coloring (eggshade) to get the yellow color Gino’s crust has. The oil blend should be corn oil and extra virgin olive oil in that 8:1 ratio. 100% AP Flour48% Water16% Corn Oil2% EVOO2% Sugar1% Cream of Tartar.5% Yellow Food Coloring.5% IDYTF = .14 oz per square inch (don’t forget the sides). A 12″ pizza dough ball should weigh about 640g.That’s the recipe. -Loo

Chicago Style Pizza

I am happy to report our version is VERY close to the original. But, don’t take my word for it, read all those comments below from our readers who have made it. I LOVE this Chicago-style pizza pie! It’s so fun that the layers are reversed – the cheese is on the bottom and the tomato sauce is on the top. Probably some of the best home-made pizza I have ever had. YUM! Please, try it and let me know what you think!

Tips for Chicago Deep Dish Pizza At Home

First, you are going to need a deep dish pan. This Pizza Pan is the one that I have for perfect Chicago deep-dish pizza. Use San Marzano tomatoes in the sauce. The flavor is so rich and it really makes it taste like the sauce they use on the deep-dish pies at Gino’s East. Don’t have a deep dish pan? Use a couple of cake pans instead. Although the pizzas will be smaller, it will still be delicious!

Even More Pizza Recipes

Looking for more pizza recipes? Try some of our favorites!

Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Homemade Pizza Grilled Pesto Pizza Chicken Pizza with Lemons French Bread Pizza Roasted Butternut Squash Flatbread Pizza Antipasto Vegetarian Pizza