Deep-Dish Sausage and Pepperoni Baked Pizza

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

A hearty Chicago-style deep-dish pizza loaded with spicy sausage, pepperoni, and a rich tomato sauce baked to golden perfection. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 60 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 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.

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 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 8 oz Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 cup pepperoni slices
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 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, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Add 1 cup warm water (110°F) and 1/4 cup olive oil, stirring until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic, then cover with a towel and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
2. Step 2: While dough rises, heat a skillet over medium heat and cook 8 oz Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 2 cups crushed tomatoes and simmer on low for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly oil a 9-inch deep-dish pizza pan and press the dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides.
4. Step 4: Layer 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough, then scatter the cooked sausage mixture and 1 cup pepperoni slices on top.
5. Step 5: Pour the thickened tomato sauce evenly over the toppings and sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on the surface.
6. Step 6: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the edges of the crust are golden brown. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.