Wood-Fired Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Sausage and Caramelized Onions

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

A hearty deep dish pizza featuring spicy Italian sausage, sweet caramelized onions, and a robust tomato sauce baked in a buttery crust. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 130 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, approximately 110°F warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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.

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup, approximately 110°F warm water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 6 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 lb, casing removed Italian sausage
• 2 medium, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 1 cup warm water (110°F) and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 6 tbsp melted unsalted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir and knead by hand or mixer for 7-8 minutes until a smooth dough forms.
3. Step 3: Cover dough with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: While dough rises, cook 1 lb Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
5. Step 5: In the same skillet, add 2 thinly sliced medium yellow onions and 1 tsp granulated sugar. Cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until onions are deeply caramelized.
6. Step 6: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 28 oz crushed tomatoes, and 1 tsp dried oregano to the skillet. Simmer for 12 minutes until sauce thickens.
7. Step 7: Preheat oven to 475°F and grease a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan.
8. Step 8: Press dough into the pan, forming a 2-inch high crust on the sides.
9. Step 9: Layer 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough, followed by the cooked sausage and caramelized onion tomato sauce.
10. Step 10: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top and bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
11. Step 11: Let pizza rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.