Deep-Dish Sausage and Caramelized Onion Pizza

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

A hearty Chicago-style deep-dish pizza layered with spicy Italian sausage, sweet caramelized onions, and melted mozzarella baked to bubbling golden perfection. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 130 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, (110°F) warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, 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
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz, casing removed Italian sausage
• 2 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. In a separate bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F) and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add the yeast mixture and 1/4 cup olive oil to the dry ingredients, mixing until a sticky dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour until doubled.
3. Step 3: While the dough rises, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking into crumbles until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add the thinly sliced 2 large yellow onions and cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and golden brown.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 425°F. Press the dough into a well-oiled 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides.
6. Step 6: Layer the pizza starting with 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough. Top with the cooked sausage and caramelized onions.
7. Step 7: Mix 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes with 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, then spoon the sauce over the toppings.
8. Step 8: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden and sauce is bubbly. Let cool 5 minutes before slicing.