Chicago-Style Deep Dish Cheese Pizza

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-25 · Updated 2026-05-25

A rich and hearty deep dish pizza loaded with layers of mozzarella cheese and a chunky tomato sauce, capturing the essence of Chicago’s iconic pizza style. This Italian American-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 8 oz Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

The pizza stone or steel we’d bake this on → Best Pizza Stones and Steels for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, dissolve 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F). Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir and knead dough on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a saucepan, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened.
4. Step 4: Roll the dough into a 12-inch circle and press it into a deep 10-inch pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides to form a deep crust.
5. Step 5: Layer 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough, then spread 8 oz cooked crumbled Italian sausage on top.
6. Step 6: Pour the thickened tomato sauce over the cheese and sausage layer. Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated 425°F oven for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and sauce bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.