There’s nothing quite like slicing into a homemade Chicago Style Stuffed Pizza and watching layers of melted mozzarella, savory Italian sausage, and pepperoni stretch beneath a rich tomato sauce. Unlike traditional deep-dish pizza, a stuffed pizza features two layers of buttery dough with the fillings tucked securely inside, creating an incredibly hearty and satisfying meal.Although it looks like something you’d only find in a famous Chicago pizzeria, this recipe is surprisingly simple to make at home. The dough develops incredible flavor after an overnight rise in the refrigerator, while the homemade marinara sauce brings everything together with fresh garlic, onions, and crushed tomatoes.Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, game night, Valentine’s Day, or simply because you’re craving authentic comfort food, this homemade Chicago stuffed pizza is guaranteed to impress.

Chicago Style Stuffed Pizza Recipe | Homemade Cheesy Deep-Dish Pizza

Learn how to make authentic Chicago Style Stuffed Pizza with homemade dough, Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and rich marinara sauce. Easy step-by-step recipe.

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Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 8 slice

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 640

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Pizza Dough

• ⅔ cup warm water
• 1½ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• Extra olive oil for coating

For the Marinara Sauce

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried basil

For the Filling

• 1 pound Italian sausage
• Pepperoni slices
• 12 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese freshly grated
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Dried oregano for topping

Kitchen Equipment

• 10- inch deep cake pan or deep pizza pan
• Rolling pin
• Mixing bowl
• Skillet
• Small saucepan
• Cheese grater
• Aluminum foil

Method

 

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a measuring cup, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Stir gently and allow it to sit for several minutes until bubbles appear on the surface.
2. Meanwhile, combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil and work it into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix everything together until a dough forms. Knead for about 2 minutes until fully combined.
4. Coat the dough lightly with olive oil, cover, and refrigerate for at least 6–8 hours or preferably overnight.

Step 2: Make the Marinara Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onions become soft and translucent.
3. Stir in:
4. Crushed tomatoes
5. Salt
6. Dried basil
7. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and allow it to cool.

Step 3: Cook the Sausage

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a small drizzle of olive oil.
2. Cook the Italian sausage until fully browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
3. Drain any excess grease before using.

Step 4: Roll the Bottom Crust

1. Remove the dough from the refrigerator.
2. Separate about one-third of the dough and reserve it for the top crust.
3. Roll the remaining dough into a circle (or heart shape if desired) about two inches larger than your baking pan.
4. Generously butter the baking pan before pressing the dough into the bottom and sides.
5. Remove any trapped air bubbles by gently pressing the dough into the corners.

Step 5: Add the Filling

1. Layer the ingredients in this order:
2. Cooked Italian sausage
3. Pepperoni slices
4. Freshly grated mozzarella cheese
5. Keep the cheese slightly away from the edges so the crust seals properly.
6. Press the filling down gently.

Step 6: Add the Top Crust

1. Roll out the reserved dough until it fits the top of the pizza.
2. Place it over the filling and firmly seal the edges with the bottom crust.
3. Cut several small vent holes in the top to allow steam to escape while baking.

Step 7: Add the Sauce

1. Spread the prepared marinara sauce evenly across the top crust.
2. Keep the sauce inside the edges to prevent spills during baking.

Step 8: Bake

1. Cover the pizza tightly with aluminum foil.
2. Bake at 450°F (230°C) for 20 minutes.
3. Remove the foil and sprinkle over:
4. Parmesan cheese
5. Dried oregano
6. Return the pizza to the oven uncovered and bake for another 7–10 minutes until golden brown.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

1. Allow the pizza to rest for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan.
2. Slice and serve while hot.

Notes

Homemade Chicago Style Stuffed Pizza is one of the most satisfying pizzas you can make from scratch. Between the buttery homemade crust, rich tomato sauce, flavorful Italian sausage, spicy pepperoni, and layers of gooey mozzarella, every bite delivers classic Chicago-style comfort. While it takes a little extra time to prepare, the result is a restaurant-quality stuffed pizza that’s well worth the effort. Once you’ve made it at home, it’s sure to become a favorite for family dinners, special occasions, and pizza nights alike.