Deep-Dish Baked Sausage and Spinach Pizza

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-06

A thick Chicago-style deep-dish pizza loaded with spicy Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and layers of mozzarella beneath a rich tomato sauce. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 60 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 520 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
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (110°F) warm water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casing removed
• 4 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach leaves
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, and 1 tsp salt. Stir in 1 cup warm water (110°F) and 1/4 cup olive oil, mixing until a sticky dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 7-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: While dough rises, heat a skillet over medium heat and add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing). Break it up with a spoon and cook 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F. Punch down dough and press it into a well-oiled 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides to form a thick crust.
4. Step 4: Spread 3 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough base. Next, layer 4 cups chopped fresh spinach evenly over the cheese. Scatter cooked sausage and garlic on top.
5. Step 5: In a bowl, mix 2 cups crushed tomatoes with 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Spoon the tomato sauce evenly over the toppings, spreading gently to cover.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce. Bake in the 425°F oven for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden and the sauce is bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing and serving.