Classic Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Rich, buttery deep dish pizza loaded with spicy Italian sausage and melted mozzarella cheese, inspired by Chicago’s iconic pizzerias. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 125 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 700 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.

Prep: 90 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 700 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F). Let sit 5-7 minutes until foamy.
  2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, and 1 tsp salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter. Stir and knead for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
  3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) and 1 small diced yellow onion. Cook, breaking up sausage, for 7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 14-inch circle. Press dough into a deep 12-inch pizza pan, pushing dough up sides to form a thick crust.
  5. Step 5: Spread 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough bottom. Spoon the cooked sausage and onion mixture over the cheese.
  6. Step 6: In a bowl, mix 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes with 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, and optional 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Pour the tomato sauce over the sausage and cheese layer.
  7. Step 7: Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and sauce is bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Classic Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage 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 Classic Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage?

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 Classic Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage?

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 Classic Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage 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 Classic Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage?

Italian 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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