Chicago-Style Deep Dish Sausage and Pepper Pizza

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-18 · Updated 2026-05-18

A hearty deep dish pizza loaded with Italian sausage, sautéed bell peppers, and a thick layer of mozzarella baked in a buttery crust. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 125 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, (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 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick), melted unsalted butter
• 12 oz, casing removed and crumbled Italian sausage
• 1 medium, sliced into strips red bell pepper
• 1 medium, sliced into strips green bell pepper
• 1 small, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp granulated sugar in 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter into the yeast mixture. Knead by hand or mixer for about 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Cover the dough and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). In a skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 12 oz crumbled Italian sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned.
5. Step 5: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 sliced green bell pepper, and 1 thinly sliced yellow onion to the skillet. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until vegetables are softened.
6. Step 6: Punch down the dough and press it into a 12-inch deep dish pizza pan or cast iron skillet, pushing dough up the sides.
7. Step 7: Layer the bottom with 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Spread the sausage and pepper mixture evenly on top.
8. Step 8: Pour 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes seasoned with 1 tsp dried oregano and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes evenly over the toppings.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella over the top. Drizzle 2 tbsp melted butter around the edges of the crust.
10. Step 10: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and browned. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.