Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Sausage and Caramelized Onions

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty deep dish pizza featuring a thick, buttery crust loaded with Italian sausage, sweet caramelized onions, and melted mozzarella cheese. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 70 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 50 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 packet instant yeast, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Add 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F) and 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter; mix and knead for 7-8 minutes until a smooth dough forms. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
  2. Step 2: While the dough rises, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized. Remove onions and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, cook 12 oz Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease a 12-inch deep dish pizza pan with butter.
  5. Step 5: Press the risen dough into the pan, creating a thick edge around the sides.
  6. Step 6: Spread 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes evenly over the dough. Sprinkle 1 tsp dried oregano and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes over the sauce.
  7. Step 7: Layer the cooked sausage evenly over the sauce, then add the caramelized onions.
  8. Step 8: Top with 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese and sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
  9. Step 9: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Sausage and Caramelized Onions take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 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 Sausage and Caramelized Onions?

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 Sausage and Caramelized Onions?

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 Sausage and Caramelized Onions 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 Sausage and Caramelized Onions?

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.

Related recipes