Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Housemade Sausage and Mozzarella
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 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 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 3: Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 6: Layer 12 oz sliced fresh mozzarella evenly over the dough. Spoon the sausage and tomato sauce mixture over the cheese.
- Step 7: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Step 8: Remove pizza and scatter 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves before slicing and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Housemade Sausage and Mozzarella take to make?
Total time is about 130 minutes (90 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Housemade Sausage and Mozzarella?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Housemade Sausage and Mozzarella?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Housemade Sausage and Mozzarella for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Housemade Sausage and Mozzarella?
Italian pizza like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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