Chicago-Style Deep Dish Sausage and Mozzarella Pizza

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

A hearty Chicago deep-dish pizza layered with spicy sausage, fresh mozzarella, and chunky tomato sauce baked in a buttery crust. This American-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 115 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

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup (110°F) warm water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 12 oz Italian sausage, casing removed
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

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 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 3/4 cup warm water (110°F). Let sit 5 minutes until foamy. Stir in 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter. Mix until dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 5 minutes until smooth.
2. Step 2: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through, breaking it into small pieces. Remove from heat.
4. Step 4: Roll out dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a well-buttered 10-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pressing dough up the sides to form a thick crust.
5. Step 5: Layer 3 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough. Spoon cooked sausage over the cheese.
6. Step 6: In a bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional), and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Spread this chunky sauce evenly over the sausage.
7. Step 7: Dot the top with 3 tbsp melted butter for a golden crust. Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is deep golden and cheese is bubbly.
8. Step 8: Let pizza cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.