3tbsunsalted buttermelted plus 4 tbs butter, softened
1teas plus 4 tbs olive oil
For the Sauce
2tbsunsalted butter
1/4cupminced onion
1/4teas dried oregano
salt and pepper
2garlic clovesminced
1 28ozcan crushed tomatoes
1/4teas sugar
2tbschopped fresh basil
1tbsextra-virgin olive oil
For the Toppings
1lbsmozzarellashredded
1/4cupgrated Parmesan cheese
1lbshot Italian sausagecasings removed
Instructions
Fit your stand mixer with the hook attachment and mix the flour, cornmeal, yeast, sugar, and salt on low speed. Make a well in the center and add the water and melted butter. Mix until combined. Increase the speed to medium and knead dough for 4 to 5 minutes. The dough should pull away from the sides while the mixer is running.
Using fingers, coat a large bowl with 1 teas olive oil. Turn out the dough, form into a ball and place in the bowl, cover tightly and let rise at room temperature for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or doubled in size.
Meanwhile, cook the sausage over medium-high heat, breaking up into bite sized crumbles with a spatula. When cooked through, remove from skillet and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain.
Wipe out the pan with a paper towel and reduce heat to medium. Melt the butter in the pan and add the onion, oregano, and 1/2 teas salt. Cook until onion is softened and starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and sugar. Lower heat to a simmer and cook until sauce has reduced to 2 1/2 cups, about 30 minutes. Off heat, stir in the basil and oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Back at the dough: Adjust the oven rack to lowest possible position and preheat to 425 degrees F.
Turn the dough out to a clean dry surface and roll into a 15x12" rectangle. Spreed the softened butter over the dough, leaving a 1/2" boarder. Starting at the short end closest to you, roll into a tight cylinder. Roll the dough and press into an 18x4" rectangle. Seam side down, cut in half. Take one half and fold into thirds, much like folding an envelope. Press the seams together and place in the bowl again. Repeat with the other half, covering the bowl tightly and placing in the fridge for another 40 minutes, and almost doubled again.
Coat 2 9" deep cake pans with 2 tbs olive oil each making sure to come up the sides. Take 1 ball of dough and roll out to a 13" disk. Carefully place in the greased cake pan and press gently, working into the sides. Repeat with the remaining dough and cake pan.
Sprinkle each pizza evenly with the mozzarella and sausage. Coat with sauce and sprinkle Parmesan on top. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes each until crust is golden brown.
Remove pizzas carefully from oven and let cool 10 minutes each before serving.