Charred Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-25 · Updated 2026-05-25

Rich and hearty deep dish pizza with a thick buttery crust, spicy Italian sausage, melted mozzarella, and tangy tomato sauce, finished with a charred edge. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 130 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, (110°F) warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 700 calories and feeds 6, 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

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 12 oz Italian sausage, casing removed
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 28 oz crushed canned tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F), 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, and 1 tbsp sugar. Stir and let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 cup cornmeal, and 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
3. Step 3: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) and cook, breaking up pieces, for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat.
5. Step 5: In a saucepan, combine 28 oz crushed canned tomatoes, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 2 tbsp chopped basil. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes until thickened.
6. Step 6: Preheat oven to 475°F. Press the dough into a 12-inch deep dish pan, making sure to come up the sides, and sprinkle 3 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough.
7. Step 7: Spread the cooked sausage evenly on top of the cheese, then spoon the tomato sauce over the sausage. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese on top.
8. Step 8: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown with some charred spots and cheese is bubbling. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.