Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Housemade Sausage and Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

A hearty deep dish pizza loaded with savory housemade Italian sausage, fresh mozzarella, and a tangy tomato sauce baked to golden perfection. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 130 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 710 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
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 12 oz, sliced fresh mozzarella
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves

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 large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp granulated sugar in 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup olive oil. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
4. Step 4: While dough rises, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casings) with 3 minced garlic cloves until browned and cooked through, breaking up meat into crumbles. Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 1 tsp dried oregano. Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 425°F. Punch down dough and press into a buttered 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides to form a crust.
6. Step 6: Layer 12 oz sliced fresh mozzarella evenly over the dough. Spoon the sausage and tomato sauce mixture over the cheese.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
8. Step 8: Remove pizza and scatter 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves before slicing and serving.