Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza with Sausage and Bell Peppers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-18 · Updated 2026-05-18

A hearty deep-dish pizza featuring a golden crust, savory Italian sausage, and colorful bell peppers, inspired by Chicago’s famous pizza tradition. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 60 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz Italian sausage
• 1 medium, sliced into thin strips green bell pepper
• 1 medium, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
• 1 medium, sliced into thin strips yellow bell pepper
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Add 1 cup warm water and 1/4 cup olive oil, mixing until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 7-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: While dough rises, heat a skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook 12 oz Italian sausage for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage and in the same skillet, add sliced 1 medium green bell pepper, 1 medium red bell pepper, and 1 medium yellow bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened but still vibrant. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan. Press the dough into the pan, pushing it up the sides to form a thick crust.
4. Step 4: Spread 2 cups crushed tomatoes evenly over the dough. Sprinkle 1 tsp dried oregano and 1 tsp dried basil on top. Layer 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, followed by cooked sausage and sautéed bell peppers.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the toppings. Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and slightly browned. Let cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving.