Transit-Inspired Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-04 · Updated 2026-06-04

A hearty Chicago-style deep dish pizza with a rich tomato sauce, layers of mozzarella, and Italian sausage, inspired by the regional flavors of Chicago transit neighborhoods. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 120 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast, sugar 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
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 1 cup yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• to taste salt
• to taste freshly ground black pepper
• 12 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 packet active dry yeast, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Add 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F) and 1/4 cup olive oil, stirring until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: While dough rises, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed), breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add 1 cup diced yellow onion, 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper, and 3 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Simmer sauce over low heat for 25 minutes until thickened and rich, stirring occasionally.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. Oil a 12-inch deep dish pan with olive oil. Press the risen dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
5. Step 5: Layer 12 oz sliced fresh mozzarella evenly over the dough. Spoon the thickened sausage and tomato sauce evenly over the cheese. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese on top.
6. Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and cheese bubbles around the edges. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.