Deep-Dish Sausage and Spinach Pizza with Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

A hearty Chicago-style deep-dish pizza loaded with savory sausage, fresh spinach, and melted mozzarella cheese in a buttery crust. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 105 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 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup (110°F) warm water
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz ground Italian sausage
• 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves minced garlic

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 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, 1 tsp salt, and 1 cup warm water (110°F). Stir and knead until a smooth dough forms, about 8 minutes. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 12 oz ground Italian sausage with 2 minced garlic cloves until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
3. Step 3: Lightly oil a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan with 1 tbsp olive oil. Press risen dough evenly into the pan, pulling up slightly on the sides to form a crust.
4. Step 4: Spread the cooked sausage evenly over the dough, then layer 3 cups fresh spinach leaves on top. Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the spinach.
5. Step 5: In a bowl, mix 14 oz crushed tomatoes with 1 tsp dried oregano and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Pour the tomato mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
6. Step 6: Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the top and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the crust is golden and the sauce bubbles.
7. Step 7: Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing to allow the layers to set.