DEEP-DISH (VEGGIE) SAUSAGE PIZZA

DEEP-DISH (VEGGIE) SAUSAGE PIZZA image

Categories Cheese

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

Olive oil or vegetable oil
Yellow cornmeal
1 cup warm water (120 degrees F to 130 degrees F)
1 package active dry yeast
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 ounces mild bulk Italian sausage
1 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 tablespoon snipped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
12 ounces sliced mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese (optional)
Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Steps:

Generously grease a 10x2-inch heavy round cake pan or a 10-inch springform pan with oil. Sprinkle bottom of pan with cornmeal; set pan aside. In a large bowl combine warm water and yeast, stirring to dissolve yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the flour, the 1/3 cup oil, and salt. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping sides of bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining 1 1/2 to 2 cups flour as you can. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes total). Shape dough into a ball. Place in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size (50 to 60 minutes). Punch dough down. Cover and let rest for 5 minutes. Place dough in the prepared pan. Using oiled hands, press and spread dough evenly over the bottom and 1 1/2 inches up the sides of pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly double in size (30 to 35 minutes). Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. For filling, in a medium skillet cook sausage over medium-high heat until brown, using a wooden spoon to break up meat as it cooks. Drain in a colander. Using paper towels, pat sausage and wipe out skillet to remove additional fat. Return sausage to skillet. Stir in tomatoes, oregano, and snipped or dried basil. Cook and stir until heated through. To assemble, arrange mozzarella cheese slices over dough. Spoon filling over cheese; sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until edge of crust is crisp and golden and filling is heated through. If necessary to prevent overbrowning, cover edge of crust with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. If using a springform pan, remove side of pan. If desired, sprinkle pizza with additional Parmesan cheese and basil leaves.