Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Caramelized Onion and Mozzarella

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

A rich, buttery deep dish pizza featuring a thick crust layered with tangy tomato sauce, sweet caramelized onions, and gooey mozzarella cheese. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 125 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 620 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 plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 medium, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 1 cup warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined, then knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, melt 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 thinly sliced yellow onions and sauté for 12-15 minutes, stirring often, until golden and caramelized. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil into the onion mixture. Simmer gently for 20 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 425°F. Punch down the dough and press it into a well-oiled 12-inch deep dish pizza pan, making sure the dough covers the bottom and sides evenly.
6. Step 6: Layer 16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough, then pour the tomato and onion sauce over the cheese. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
7. Step 7: Bake the pizza for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned on the edges. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.