Deep-Dish Style Oven-Baked Chicago Pizza

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

A thick, hearty pizza with a buttery crust, layered with tangy tomato sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese, inspired by Chicago's iconic deep-dish tradition. This American-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 110 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, 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.

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 tsp salt
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 8 oz Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves

The pizza stone or steel we’d bake this on → Best Pizza Stones and Steels for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp granulated sugar in 1 cup warm water (110°F), letting it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir and knead on a floured surface for 7-8 minutes until a smooth dough forms. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F. Press the risen dough into a well-oiled 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing the dough up the sides to create a thick crust.
4. Step 4: Spread 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough base. Scatter 8 oz cooked and crumbled Italian sausage over the cheese.
5. Step 5: In a saucepan over medium heat, sauté 2 minced garlic cloves in 2 tbsp olive oil for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes and 1 tsp dried oregano; simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Step 6: Spoon the tomato sauce evenly over the sausage and cheese layers. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
7. Step 7: Bake the pizza for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the sauce bubbles. Remove from oven and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves before slicing and serving.