Chicago-Style Deep Dish Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-14 · Updated 2026-05-14

A hearty deep dish pizza loaded with spicy Italian sausage, pepperoni, and a rich tomato sauce, perfect for a Chicago-inspired meal. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 125 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) 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 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 cup pepperoni slices
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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. Stir in 1 1/4 cups warm water and 1/4 cup olive oil, mixing until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
2. Step 2: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl using 2 tbsp olive oil, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium heat, cook 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, simmering for 15 minutes until sauce thickens.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. Press the dough into a greased 12-inch deep dish pan, pushing dough up the sides to form a crust.
5. Step 5: Layer 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough, then spread the sausage tomato sauce on top, and arrange 1 cup pepperoni slices over the sauce.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top and bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese bubbling.
7. Step 7: Let the pizza rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.