Deep-Dish Style Chicago-Influenced Sausage Pizza

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

A hearty deep-dish pizza inspired by Chicago’s iconic style, featuring a thick crust loaded with savory Italian sausage and a rich tomato sauce. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 75 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 plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1 small, diced green bell pepper
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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 to form a sticky dough. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic, then place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
2. Step 2: While dough rises, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook for 5 minutes until browned. Add 1 medium diced onion and 1 small diced green bell pepper, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil. Reduce heat to low and simmer sauce uncovered for 20 minutes until thickened and flavorful.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. Press the dough into a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing it up the sides to form a thick crust. Sprinkle 3 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough.
5. Step 5: Spread the sausage and vegetable tomato sauce over the cheese layer, then sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan on top.
6. Step 6: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned on top. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.