Chicago-Style Deep Dish Sausage and Cheese Pizza

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-18 · Updated 2026-05-18

A hearty, buttery deep dish pizza filled with savory Italian sausage, gooey mozzarella, and a rich tomato sauce that captures Chicago’s iconic pizza spirit. This American-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 125 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 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. 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
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (110°F) warm water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz, casing removed Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp, melted butter

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, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 1 cup warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir and knead dough on a floured surface for 7-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
3. Step 3: While dough rises, heat a skillet over medium heat and cook 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it apart, for 6-7 minutes until browned. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil. Simmer sauce on low for 20 minutes until thickened and flavorful.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease a 12-inch deep dish pizza pan with 2 tbsp melted butter.
6. Step 6: Press risen dough into the pan, pushing up the sides to form a thick crust.
7. Step 7: Layer 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough, then add the cooked sausage and onion tomato sauce on top.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce. Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
9. Step 9: Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes before slicing to allow flavors to set.