Chicago-Style Baked Deep Dish Pizza with Caramelized Onions

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

A rich and hearty deep dish pizza featuring a buttery crust, slow-caramelized onions, savory tomato sauce, and a blanket of melted mozzarella cheese. 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 550 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 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp granulated sugar in 1 cup warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Add the yeast mixture and 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, stirring until dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
3. Step 3: While dough rises, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 thinly sliced yellow onions and sauté for 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and caramelized. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil. Simmer sauce for 15 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with salt to taste.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 425°F. Roll out dough into a 12-inch circle and press into a deep 9-inch round baking pan with sides.
6. Step 6: Layer 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese on the dough base, then spread the tomato-onion sauce over cheese. Top with remaining 2 cups mozzarella and sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly.
7. Step 7: Bake pizza for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and browned at edges. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing and serving.