Deep-Dish Tomato and Sausage Oven Bake
A hearty Chicago-inspired deep-dish style bake featuring savory sausage and rich tomato sauce layered over a buttery crust. This american-inspired comfort food ready in about 65 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, cold and cubed unsalted butter, ice water 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.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup, cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 12 oz, casing removed Italian sausage
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup cold cubed unsalted butter. Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to blend until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 1/4 cup ice water, mixing gently until dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic and chill for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: While dough chills, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, cooking for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes until sauce thickens and deepens in flavor.
- Step 4: Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Press dough into a 9-inch deep-dish pan, pushing it up the sides evenly. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the crust.
- Step 5: Pour the sausage and tomato sauce mixture over the cheese layer, spreading evenly. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Step 6: Bake at 425°F for 25-30 minutes until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Deep-Dish Tomato and Sausage Oven Bake take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 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 Oven Bake?
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 all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Deep-Dish Tomato and Sausage Oven Bake?
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 Oven Bake 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 Oven Bake?
American comfort food 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.
