Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Spicy Italian Sausage

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-08 · Updated 2026-06-08

A hearty Chicago deep dish pizza loaded with spicy Italian sausage, mozzarella, and a rich tomato sauce baked to golden perfection. This American-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 130 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 590 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 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz, casing removed spicy Italian sausage
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 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, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Add 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F) and 1/4 cup olive oil, stirring until dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth, then place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: While dough rises, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz spicy Italian sausage (removed from casing), cook and crumble for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer sauce for 15 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. Press the risen dough into a 12-inch deep dish pizza pan, pushing up the sides to create a crust.
5. Step 5: Layer 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough, then scatter the cooked sausage on top. Pour the tomato sauce over the sausage and cheese, spreading gently.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.