Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Sausage and Bell Peppers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

A hearty deep dish pizza with a buttery crust, spicy Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, and a rich tomato sauce baked to bubbly perfection. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 130 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, cornmeal, packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast 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 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups, about 110°F warm water
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 12 oz Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tbsp granulated sugar. Dissolve 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast in 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F) and let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add the yeast mixture and 1/4 cup olive oil to the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
3. Step 3: While dough rises, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) and cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 5-6 minutes until browned. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 sliced green bell pepper, 1 sliced red bell pepper, and 1 thinly sliced small yellow onion; sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
4. Step 4: Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil. Simmer sauce uncovered for 15 minutes until thickened. Season with salt to taste.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 425°F. Press the risen dough into a well-oiled 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides.
6. Step 6: Layer 3 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough base. Spoon the sausage and pepper tomato sauce over the cheese. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan on top.
7. Step 7: Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing and serving.