Deep-Dish Tomato and Sausage Bake with Italian Herbs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty Chicago-inspired deep-dish bake featuring Italian sausage, crushed tomatoes, and a blend of savory herbs baked to perfection. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 60 minutes pairs Italian sausage, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion 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: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet with sausage. Sauté for 4 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes over medium heat until slightly thickened.
  4. Step 4: Roll out 1 lb pizza dough to fit a 9-inch deep-dish pan. Place dough in the pan, pushing up the edges to form a crust.
  5. Step 5: Spread half of the sauce evenly over the dough. Sprinkle 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan over the sauce.
  6. Step 6: Add the remaining sauce layer, then top with the remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
  7. Step 7: Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Deep-Dish Tomato and Sausage Bake with Italian Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 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 Tomato and Sausage Bake with Italian Herbs?

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 italian sausage from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Deep-Dish Tomato and Sausage Bake with Italian Herbs?

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 Tomato and Sausage Bake with Italian Herbs 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 Tomato and Sausage Bake with Italian Herbs?

Italian pizza 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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