Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Sausage and Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

A hearty deep dish pizza featuring a buttery crust, spicy sausage, rich mozzarella, and tangy tomato sauce inspired by Chicago’s iconic pizzerias. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 125 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 650 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

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup, 110°F warm water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 12 oz, casing removed Italian sausage
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 2, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Add 1 cup warm water (110°F) and 1/4 cup olive oil; stir until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: While dough rises, in a skillet over medium heat, brown 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink. Remove sausage and set aside. In the same skillet, add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F. Press the dough into a well-oiled 12-inch deep dish pizza pan, pushing dough up sides to create a 2-inch tall crust. Layer the bottom with 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, then spread cooked sausage evenly over cheese. Pour the thickened tomato sauce over the sausage layer.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Remove from oven and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil before slicing and serving.