Chicago-Style Deep Dish Sausage and Cheese Pizza

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 ready in about 125 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, (110°F) 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.

Prep: 90 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Chicago-Style Deep Dish Sausage and Cheese Pizza take to make?

Total time is about 125 minutes (90 min prep + 35 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 Sausage and Cheese Pizza?

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 Sausage and Cheese Pizza?

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 Sausage and Cheese Pizza 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 Sausage and Cheese Pizza?

American 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.

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