Thin Crust Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

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

A hearty deep-dish pizza with a thick, buttery crust topped with a robust tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Italian sausage, inspired by Chicago flavors. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 125 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, cornmeal, (1 packet) active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 90 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, and 1 1/2 tsp salt. In a small bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 1 cup warm water (110°F) and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Pour yeast mixture and 1/4 cup olive oil into flour mixture and stir until dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 7-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  2. Step 2: Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned. Add 1 diced medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1 tsp sugar. Simmer sauce for 20 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally until thickened and aromatic.
  5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 425°F. Punch down dough and press it evenly into a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, forming a 1-inch rim.
  6. Step 6: Layer 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough. Spoon the sausage tomato sauce over the cheese, spreading to the edges. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
  7. Step 7: Bake pizza for 25-30 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Thin Crust Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza take to make?

Total time is about 125 minutes (90 min prep + 35 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 Thin Crust Chicago-Style Deep Dish 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 Thin Crust Chicago-Style Deep Dish 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 Thin Crust Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza 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 Thin Crust Chicago-Style Deep Dish 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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