Chicago Thick Crust Italian Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza
Our family absolutely loves a thick crust pizza, especially my husband, Billy. His favorite pizza crust is chewy on the inside and crispy, golden brown on the outside. Of course we all have our favorite pizza joints, so let me tell you a little bit about ours (and how it inspired me to make my own thick and chewy homemade pizza dough recipe).
Whether you’re making this homemade pizza for a special occasion or just a casual family dinner, it’s sure to impress. The savory Italian sausage and pepperoni create a rich, meaty flavor profile, and my homemade pizza sauce recipe ties everything together.
My delicious homemade sausage and pepperoni pizza is actually a love letter to Salerno’s.
This Italian Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza recipe is my personal tribute to the pie my whole family loves the most: Salerno’s pizza. My recipe is a classic homemade sausage and pepperoni pizza with a thick, chewy Chicago-style pizza crust. Chicagoans know that the best pizza is hearty and satisfying, and the crust plays a huge role here.
I tested my pizza dough over and over again until I got that perfect crust.
To get that perfect combination of crispy and chewy, I focused on the dough. After a lot of trial and error, one day my husband looked at me with a huge smile on his face and said, "Honey, you’ve mastered it!" It’s thick enough to hold all those delicious toppings, but still bakes up beautifully golden brown. The secret? A combination of high-gluten flour and a little bit of vegetable shortening.
If you’re a fan of delicious pizza with plenty of toppings, this meat lover’s pizza with a homemade crust is for you. Start with my homemade pizza dough recipe and you’ll be ready to go!
Tips for Perfecting Your Homemade Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza
Use a Perforated Pan for Crispy Crust
When I want a perfect golden brown crust in a thick-crust pizza, I use a perforated pizza pan instead of a pizza stone. The holes in the pan allow heat to circulate under the crust, making sure it gets nice and crispy on the bottom. This is especially important with a thicker pizza, where the crust is super thick (not enough airflow and it can easily get soggy). If you prefer a thinner crust pizza made on a pizza stone, make sure to check out my Pizza Margherita on a Pizza Stone recipe!
Check the Bottom for Doneness
Start checking the bottom of your pizza for doneness at around 17 minutes. Peek underneath to see if the crust is browning to your liking. If it’s not done yet, let it bake for a few more minutes to ensure the bottom is cooked all the way through.
Layer the Toppings Just Right
For the best flavor and texture, I like to layer the toppings in a particular order. Follow the directions below so the sausage stays juicy while the pepperoni gets crispy around the edges. Perfection!
Choose Quality Italian Sausage
When shopping for Italian sausage, make sure to pick one that includes fennel seeds. They add that authentic Italian taste that takes your pizza to the next level. Fennel gives the sausage a sweet, anise-like flavor that pairs perfectly with savory pepperoni and cheese.
Need more ideas for your next pizza party?
Coming soon→
Chicago Thick Crust Italian Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
- One recipe of Mary’s Chicago-Style Thick and Chewy Easy Pizza Dough Recipe
- Olive oil for the pizza pan
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil plus more to lightly oil the pan
- One recipe of Mary’s Best Pizza Sauce Recipe
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ¼ cup grated Pecorini Romano cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 6 ounces mild Italian sausage, casing removed, and sauteed until just cooked through
- 4 ounces sliced pepperoni
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 475 degrees.
- Lightly oil a 12-inch round pizza pan. Roll out the dough into a circle and place it on the pan. Use your hands to push the dough into the pan leaving a ½-inch thicker edge.
- Rub 1 tablespoon olive oil lightly over the top of the pizza dough. Spread the sauce evenly over the pizza.
- Place the toppings on the pizza in this order: garlic, green onions, dried oregano, Pecorino Romano cheese, mozzarella cheese, Italian sausage, and pepperoni.
- Bake in the preheated oven on the second rack from the bottom for 18 to 22 minutes or until the crust is browned and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove the pizza from the oven, slice, and enjoy!
