Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

A hearty deep dish pizza featuring a buttery crust, spicy Italian sausage, tangy tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella, inspired by iconic Chicago flavors. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, sugar 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 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz, casing removed Italian sausage
• 1 small, diced green bell pepper
• 1 small, diced onion
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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, combine 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, and 1 tbsp sugar. Pour in 1 1/4 cups warm water and 1/2 cup olive oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
2. Step 2: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it up until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Add 1 small diced green bell pepper and 1 small diced onion, cooking 4 minutes until softened.
4. Step 4: Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil. Simmer sauce uncovered for 15 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
5. Step 5: Press risen dough into a well-oiled 12-inch deep dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides to form a crust.
6. Step 6: Spread half of 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over the crust. Spoon the sausage and vegetable tomato sauce evenly on top, then add remaining mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
7. Step 7: Bake pizza for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly and browned at edges. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.