Deep-Dish Sausage and Spinach Pizza with Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 ready in about 105 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, 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 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.

Prep: 75 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

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.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Deep-Dish Sausage and Spinach Pizza with Mozzarella take to make?

Total time is about 105 minutes (75 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Deep-Dish Sausage and Spinach Pizza with Mozzarella?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Deep-Dish Sausage and Spinach Pizza with Mozzarella?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Deep-Dish Sausage and Spinach Pizza with Mozzarella for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Deep-Dish Sausage and Spinach Pizza with Mozzarella?

Italian pizza like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes