Deep-Dish Style Baked Chicago Sausage Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty baked pasta layered with spicy Italian sausage, tangy tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella, inspired by Chicago’s iconic deep-dish pizza flavors. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 55 minutes pairs Italian sausage, casing removed, olive oil, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 12 oz penne pasta, cooking for 9 minutes until just al dente; drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage, casing removed, and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 cup diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the sausage, sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer the sauce gently for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Step 5: Combine the cooked pasta with the sausage tomato sauce in a large mixing bowl, tossing gently to combine.
  6. Step 6: Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish, sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over it, then add the remaining pasta and top with 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
  7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly with golden edges.
  8. Step 8: Remove from oven and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Deep-Dish Style Baked Chicago Sausage Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Style Baked Chicago Sausage Pasta?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Deep-Dish Style Baked Chicago Sausage Pasta?

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 Style Baked Chicago Sausage Pasta 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 Style Baked Chicago Sausage Pasta?

Italian pasta 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.

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