Deep-Dish Chicago-Style Sausage and Peppers Pizza

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

A hearty deep-dish pizza packed with Italian sausage, sautéed bell peppers, and a rich tomato sauce, capturing the spirit of Chicago’s iconic pizzerias. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 70 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) 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 (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/2 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
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 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 1/2 tsp salt. Add 1 1/4 cups warm water and 2 tbsp olive oil, mixing until a sticky dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, then place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: While dough rises, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add sliced 1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, 1 small thinly sliced yellow onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 7-8 minutes until vegetables are tender and edges lightly caramelized. Stir in 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, salt, and black pepper to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. Punch down risen dough and press it into a greased 10-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides about 1 inch.
5. Step 5: Spread half of the mozzarella cheese (1 cup) evenly over the dough. Distribute cooked sausage over the cheese, then layer sautéed pepper and onion tomato sauce on top. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the sauce.
6. Step 6: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.