Deep-Dish Baked Italian Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

This hearty Chicago-style deep-dish pizza features layers of Italian sausage, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese baked in a buttery crust with a robust tomato sauce. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, cornmeal, active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 720 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
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (110°F) warm water
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 8 oz Italian sausage, casing removed
• 20 pepperoni slices
• 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, and 1 tsp salt. In a separate small bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 1 cup warm water (110°F) and let stand for 5 minutes until foamy. Add the yeast mixture and 1/4 cup olive oil to the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 7 minutes until smooth and elastic, then place in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 oz Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat.
3. Step 3: In a saucepan over medium heat, add minced 3 garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly oil a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan with olive oil. Press the dough evenly into the pan, pushing up the sides to form a rim.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough. Add the cooked sausage evenly over the cheese, then top with 20 pepperoni slices. Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the toppings, spreading gently.
6. Step 6: Top with the remaining 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese and sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
7. Step 7: Bake the pizza for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.