Deep-Dish Sausage and Spinach Chicago-Style Pizza

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-25 · Updated 2026-05-25

A hearty deep-dish pizza layered with spicy Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a rich tomato sauce, inspired by Chicago’s iconic pizza tradition. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 60 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, warm water, active dry yeast 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
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 12 oz Italian sausage, casing removed
• 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crushed canned tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 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 and 2 tbsp olive oil, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rest for 1 hour at room temperature until doubled.
2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spatula, for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 1/2 cups crushed canned tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Roll out the dough to fit a 12-inch deep-dish pan with sides. Press dough into the pan, making sure to cover the bottom and sides evenly.
5. Step 5: Layer the bottom with half of 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, then spread the cooked sausage evenly. Add 3 cups fresh spinach leaves on top, followed by the remaining mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
6. Step 6: Pour the tomato sauce evenly over all the layers. Bake in the preheated 425°F oven for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and browned. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.