Deep-Dish Chicago-Style Sausage Pizza

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-25 · Updated 2026-05-25

A hearty deep-dish pizza loaded with Italian sausage, gooey mozzarella, and a tangy tomato sauce inspired by Chicago’s iconic pizza style. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 55 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 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crushed canned tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped

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 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Stir to mix.
2. Step 2: Add 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F) and 1/4 cup olive oil to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed) for 6-7 minutes, breaking into small crumbles until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat.
5. Step 5: In a bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups crushed canned tomatoes, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil until combined.
6. Step 6: Press the risen dough into a well-oiled 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides to create a thick crust.
7. Step 7: Layer 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over dough, then spread the cooked sausage on top.
8. Step 8: Pour the tomato sauce mixture evenly over the sausage and sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
9. Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
10. Step 10: Let pizza rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.