Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage and Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-18 · Updated 2026-05-18

A thick, buttery crust layered with seasoned Italian sausage, tangy tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese in classic Chicago deep dish style. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 115 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, granulated sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 700 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 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 cup (110°F) warm water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup (1 stick), melted unsalted butter
• 12 oz, casing removed Italian sausage
• 1 small, finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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 small bowl, dissolve 1 packet active dry yeast and 1 tbsp granulated sugar in 1 cup warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup cornmeal. Pour in the yeast mixture and 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter. Mix until dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F. Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) and 1 small finely chopped yellow onion. Cook, breaking up sausage, for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Punch down dough and press it into a well-oiled 12-inch deep dish pizza pan, covering bottom and sides evenly. Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over the dough.
6. Step 6: Spread the cooked sausage and tomato sauce mixture evenly over the cheese. Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
7. Step 7: Bake for 25-30 minutes until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.