Charred Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Sausage and Caramelized Onions

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

A hearty deep dish pizza featuring a buttery crust, spicy Italian sausage, and sweet caramelized onions inspired by Chicago’s iconic flavors. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 125 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, (about 110°F) warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (about 110°F) warm water
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz, casing removed Italian sausage
• 1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 3 cups grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 1 cup warm water (110°F) and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Stir in 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup olive oil until a sticky dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic, then place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: While dough rises, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion. Cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are deeply golden and caramelized.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F. Punch down the dough and press it into a 12-inch deep dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides about 2 inches. Layer 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese evenly on the dough, then scatter cooked sausage and caramelized onions over the cheese.
4. Step 4: In a bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Spoon the tomato mixture evenly over the toppings. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
5. Step 5: Bake the pizza at 425°F for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and edges slightly charred, and the sauce bubbles. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing and serving.