Deep-Dish Chicago-Style Sausage and Pepper Pizza

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

A hearty deep-dish pizza featuring Italian sausage, sautéed bell peppers, and a rich layer of mozzarella cheese on a buttery crust. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 65 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, instant yeast, (110°F) 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 instant yeast
• 1 cup (110°F) warm water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz, casing removed Italian sausage
• 1 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch strips red bell pepper
• 1 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch strips green bell pepper
• 1 small, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 16 oz, shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast, and 1 tsp salt. Add 1 cup warm water (110°F) and 1/4 cup olive oil, stirring until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic, then place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: While dough rises, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) and cook, breaking into small pieces, for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add the sliced 1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, and 1 small yellow onion with 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until vegetables soften and edges caramelize. Add 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. Press the risen dough into a well-oiled 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides about 1 inch.
5. Step 5: Spread half of the 16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough. Layer the cooked sausage and sautéed pepper-onion mixture on top, then cover with the remaining mozzarella. Spoon the tomato sauce over the cheese layer, and sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
6. Step 6: Bake pizza for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.