Charred Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-25 · Updated 2026-05-25

A hearty deep dish pizza with a buttery crust, loaded with mozzarella, tangy tomato sauce, and Italian sausage, finished with a smoky charred edge. This italian-american-inspired pizza ready in about 100 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, at 110°F warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup at 110°F warm water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
• 8 oz, casing removed Italian sausage
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 3/4 cup warm water at 110°F and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp olive oil. Mix and knead for 7-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 475°F. In a skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook 8 oz Italian sausage for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
3. Step 3: Roll out dough on a floured surface to a 12-inch circle. Press dough into a 10-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides to create a thick crust.
4. Step 4: Layer 2 cups shredded mozzarella evenly on the dough. Spoon 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes mixed with 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt over the cheese. Scatter cooked Italian sausage on top.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the pizza. Bake for 20-25 minutes until crust edges are charred and cheese is bubbling. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.