Pan-Baked Deep Dish Sausage Pizza

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty pan-baked deep dish pizza loaded with spicy sausage and melty mozzarella, delivering a satisfying Chicago-style experience at home. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 70 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, 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 480 calories and feeds 4, 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: 45 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 1 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tsp sugar in 3/4 cup warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir and knead for 5-6 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Step 3: Lightly oil a deep 10-inch round pan with olive oil. Press the dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 8 oz Italian sausage, breaking it apart, for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
  5. Step 5: Layer 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough in the pan, then spread 1 cup pizza sauce over the cheese.
  6. Step 6: Top with the cooked sausage, sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 tsp dried oregano.
  7. Step 7: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
  8. Step 8: Let the pizza rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Baked Deep Dish Sausage Pizza take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (45 min prep + 25 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 Pan-Baked Deep Dish Sausage Pizza?

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 Pan-Baked Deep Dish Sausage Pizza?

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 Pan-Baked Deep Dish Sausage Pizza for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Pan-Baked Deep Dish Sausage Pizza?

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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