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1 Position an oven rack on the second-lowest level in the oven and place a baking stone, if using one, on the rack.
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Preheat the oven to 500F.
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2 Brush a 14-inch round deep-dish pizza pan with 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil.
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Starting in the middle and using your fingertips, press the dough evenly to cover the bottom and about 2 inches up the sides of the pan.
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Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes.
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3 Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, warm the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and swirl to coat the plan.
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Scatter the sausage in the pan and saute, stirring frequently, until the sausage is cooked through and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
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Remove the pan from the heat.
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Using a slotted spoon, drain the sausage of all excess fat and transfer the sausage to a plate.
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4 To assemble the pizza, lightly press the dough up the sides of the pan if it has slid back down.
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Lay half of the mozzarella slices over the pizza dough, overlapping them to cover the dough completely.
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Scatter the cooked sausage over the top.
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Sprinkle the garlic over the sausage.
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Arrange the rest of the mozzarella over the top of the sausage and garlic.
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Ladle the tomato sauce evenly over the mozzarella.
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Sprinkle the Parmesan over the top of the sauce.
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5 Place the pizza in the oven on the rack or baking stone and reduce the temperature to 450F.
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(Work quickly to slide the pizza into the oven and close the door so the oven temperature doesnt drop too much.)
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Bake the pizza until the crust is crisp and a deep golden brown and the cheese golden, about 30 minutes.
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Remove the pizza from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 5 to 7 minutes.
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If using a two-piece deep-dish pizza pan with removable sides, using long oven mitts, lift up the pizza pan.
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Center one hand underneath the bottom of the pan and slide the side ring of the pan off with the other hand.
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Carefully set the bottom of the pan back on the wire rack.
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6 Cut the pizza into large wedges and serve immediately.
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7 If using a one-piece deep-dish pizza pan, use a knife to loosen the crust from the sides of the pan.
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Cut the pizza into large wedges and then slide a metal spatula under the bottom crust to remove and lift out the wedges.
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Serve immediately.
