Deep-Dish Style Chicago Pizza with Spicy Italian Sausage

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-30 · Updated 2026-05-30

A hearty, thick-crust pizza inspired by Chicago’s iconic deep-dish style, layered with spicy Italian sausage, tangy tomato sauce, and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese. 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 olive oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz, casing removed spicy Italian sausage
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 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), 1 tbsp sugar, and 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy and activated.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and 1/4 cup olive oil. Stir until it forms a dough, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: While dough rises, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz spicy Italian sausage (removed from casing) and cook, breaking into small pieces, until browned, about 5-6 minutes.
5. Step 5: Add 1 diced medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet with sausage. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
6. Step 6: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer uncovered over low heat for 20 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
7. Step 7: Preheat oven to 425°F. Punch down the risen dough and press it into a well-oiled 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides to form a thick crust.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough. Spoon the sausage and tomato sauce mixture on top, then cover with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
9. Step 9: Bake pizza in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and browned at edges. Let cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving.