Spicy Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A thick, buttery crust layered with spicy Italian sausage, tangy tomato sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese, baked until golden and bubbling. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 135 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, warm water (110°F) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 8, 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: 90 min Cook: 45 min Serves 8 Italian cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 1 cup warm water (110°F). Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Add yeast mixture and 1/4 cup olive oil. Stir until dough forms, then knead on floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Step 3: Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, brown 1 lb Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking into small pieces, for 6-8 minutes until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
  5. Step 5: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 28 oz crushed canned tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil to the skillet with sausage. Simmer sauce over low heat, uncovered, for 20 minutes until thickened.
  6. Step 6: Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease a 12-inch deep dish pan with olive oil. Press risen dough evenly into the pan, pushing it up the sides.
  7. Step 7: Layer 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough. Spoon the sausage and tomato sauce mixture evenly on top.
  8. Step 8: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
  9. Step 9: Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage take to make?

Total time is about 135 minutes (90 min prep + 45 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 Spicy Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage?

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 Spicy Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage?

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 Spicy Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Spicy Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage?

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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