Deep-Dish Chicago-Style Pizza with Sausage and Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty deep-dish pizza loaded with Italian sausage, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese, baked until golden and bubbly. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 55 minutes pairs store-bought or homemade pizza dough, casing removed Italian sausage, shredded mozzarella cheese 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer sauce for 10 minutes until thickened.
  3. Step 3: Press 1 lb pizza dough into a well-oiled 9-inch deep-dish pan, pushing dough up the sides evenly.
  4. Step 4: Layer 2 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough, then spoon the sausage tomato sauce over the cheese.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
  6. Step 6: Let pizza rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Deep-Dish Chicago-Style Pizza with Sausage and Mozzarella take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 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 Deep-Dish Chicago-Style Pizza with Sausage and Mozzarella?

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 shredded mozzarella cheese from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Deep-Dish Chicago-Style Pizza with Sausage and Mozzarella?

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 Deep-Dish Chicago-Style Pizza with Sausage and Mozzarella 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 Deep-Dish Chicago-Style Pizza with Sausage and Mozzarella?

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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