Deep-Dish Baked Italian Sausage and Pepper Pizza

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

A hearty Chicago-style deep-dish pizza loaded with spicy Italian sausage, sautéed bell peppers, and a rich tomato sauce baked in a buttery crust. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 125 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 480 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 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 12 oz Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
• 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
• 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 1 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F) and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup olive oil; mix and knead for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with a towel and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 425°F. While dough rises, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz casing-removed Italian sausage and sauté for 5-6 minutes, breaking it into small pieces until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 sliced green bell pepper, 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 thinly sliced small onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add 2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil to the peppers and onion. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Press the risen dough into a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan or cast-iron skillet, pushing it up the sides by about 1 inch to form a crust.
6. Step 6: Spread half of the 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough. Then layer the cooked sausage and the tomato-pepper sauce on top. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated 425°F oven for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.