Wood-Fired Deep Dish Sausage and Spinach Pizza

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

Chicago-inspired deep dish pizza loaded with Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a rich tomato sauce baked in a buttery crust. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 130 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast, about 110°F warm water 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.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 cup, about 110°F warm water
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz, casings removed Italian sausage
• 3 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup, grated parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup warm water (110°F), 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast. Let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt. Add the yeast mixture and 1/4 cup olive oil, stirring to form a sticky dough.
3. Step 3: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 7-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 475°F with a pizza stone or cast-iron skillet inside.
5. Step 5: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
6. Step 6: Punch down the dough and press it into a well-oiled 12-inch deep dish pan or cast-iron skillet, pushing dough up the sides to create a crust.
7. Step 7: Layer 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough, then spread the sausage tomato sauce on top. Scatter 3 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach evenly, followed by 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese.
8. Step 8: Drizzle the top with 2 tbsp olive oil and bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
9. Step 9: Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.