Charred Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Sausage and Mozzarella

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

A hearty deep dish pizza inspired by Chicago's iconic style, featuring a buttery crust, savory Italian sausage, and melted mozzarella cheese. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 60 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 650 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 (110°F) warm water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz Italian sausage, casing removed
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for pan)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 1 cup warm water (110°F) and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, and 1 tsp salt. Add the yeast mixture and 1/4 cup olive oil, mixing until a sticky dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: While the dough rises, heat a skillet over medium heat, then add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing). Cook for 7-8 minutes, breaking it apart until browned and cooked through; drain excess fat.
5. Step 5: Stir together 2 cups crushed tomatoes, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a bowl.
6. Step 6: Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly brush a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan with 2 tbsp olive oil.
7. Step 7: Punch down the risen dough and press it evenly into the pan, pushing the dough up the sides about 1 inch.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle 3 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough, then top with cooked sausage.
9. Step 9: Pour the tomato sauce mixture evenly over the sausage layer, then sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan on top.
10. Step 10: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned around edges. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.