Deep-Dish Style Chicago Pizza with Sausage and Caramelized Onions

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

A hearty deep-dish pizza inspired by Chicago’s iconic style, loaded with savory sausage and sweet caramelized onions under a blanket of gooey mozzarella. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 120 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 650 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 granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 12 oz Italian sausage (raw, casing removed)
• 1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 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 small bowl, combine 1 cup warm water (110°F), 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, and 1 tbsp granulated sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Pour in yeast mixture and 1/4 cup olive oil, stirring with a wooden spoon until dough forms.
3. Step 3: Knead dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
4. Step 4: While dough rises, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz raw Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon; cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove to a plate.
5. Step 5: In the same skillet, add sliced large yellow onion and sauté over medium heat for 10 minutes until soft and golden. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
6. Step 6: Add 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil to the skillet with onions and garlic. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
7. Step 7: Preheat oven to 425°F. Press risen dough into a well-oiled 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides to form a thick crust.
8. Step 8: Layer 3 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough, then spread cooked sausage over the cheese.
9. Step 9: Spoon the tomato sauce with onions evenly on top of the sausage layer. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
10. Step 10: Bake pizza in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing.