Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Tomato-Basil Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-25 · Updated 2026-05-25

A rich and hearty deep dish pizza featuring a buttery crust, house-made tomato and basil sauce, and a blend of cheeses for a classic Chicago-inspired experience. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 125 minutes blends all-purpose flour, cornmeal, (1 packet) active dry yeast into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 6, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (110°F) warm water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 oz, cooked and crumbled Italian sausage
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• to taste black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup warm water (110°F), 1 tbsp sugar, and 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast. Let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, and 1 tsp salt. Add the yeast mixture, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, and 2 tbsp olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
3. Step 3: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled.
4. Step 4: While the dough rises, prepare the sauce by heating 1 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, chopped 1/4 cup fresh basil, salt, and black pepper to taste. Simmer for 20 minutes until thickened.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan. Press the risen dough into the pan, pushing up the sides to form a 1-inch crust.
6. Step 6: Layer 8 oz cooked and crumbled Italian sausage evenly on the dough, then top with 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
7. Step 7: Spoon the tomato-basil sauce over the cheese layer, spreading evenly.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.