Dynamic Deep-Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage and Caramelized Onions

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

Thick, buttery crust deep-dish pizza layered with spicy Italian sausage, sweet caramelized onions, and melted mozzarella for a hearty Chicago-inspired meal. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 125 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 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup, plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup olive oil; mix until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and sauté for 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until deeply golden and caramelized. Remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, cook 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed) over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. Punch down the dough and press it into a well-oiled 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing the dough up the sides to form a thick crust.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 3 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough. Spread 12 oz cooked sausage and 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes mixed with 1 tsp dried oregano and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes on top. Scatter the caramelized onions over the sauce.
6. Step 6: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Remove and sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top before slicing and serving.