Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Layered Sausage and Mozzarella

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-30 · Updated 2026-06-30

A hearty deep-dish pizza featuring a buttery crust, savory Italian sausage, and gooey mozzarella inspired by Chicago’s famous pizza tradition. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 80 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, cornmeal, (1 packet) active dry yeast 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 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 12 oz Italian sausage, casing removed
• 12 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, and 1 1/2 tsp salt. In a separate small bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F) and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Pour the yeast mixture and 1/4 cup olive oil into the flour mixture. Stir until a 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 spot for 1 hour until doubled.
3. Step 3: While dough rises, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat.
4. Step 4: Prepare the sauce by combining 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes until thickened.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 425°F. Press the dough into a well-oiled 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing it up the sides to form a thick crust.
6. Step 6: Layer the pizza starting with half the sliced 12 oz mozzarella cheese on the dough, then spread the cooked sausage evenly. Pour the tomato sauce over the sausage, spreading to cover. Top with remaining mozzarella slices and sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly.
7. Step 7: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.