Deep-Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Bell Peppers

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-13 · Updated 2026-06-13

A hearty Chicago-style deep-dish pizza featuring a buttery crust, spicy Italian sausage, and sweet roasted bell peppers baked in a rich tomato sauce. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 70 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 650 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 cup (110°F) warm water
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz, casing removed Italian sausage
• 1 large, sliced into 1/2-inch strips red bell pepper
• 1 large, sliced into 1/2-inch strips yellow bell pepper
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 3 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 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Stir in 1 cup warm water (110°F) and 1/4 cup olive oil, mixing until a sticky dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 7-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: While dough rises, preheat oven to 425°F. In a skillet over medium heat, add 12 oz Italian sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 diced onion, and 4 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
3. Step 3: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced yellow bell pepper to the skillet, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil. Simmer the sauce over low heat for 15 minutes to thicken.
4. Step 4: Press the risen dough into a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, pushing dough up the sides about 2 inches. Sprinkle 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough base. Spread the cooked sausage evenly over the cheese.
5. Step 5: Pour the thickened tomato and pepper sauce over the sausage layer, spreading gently. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
6. Step 6: Bake the pizza in the preheated 425°F oven for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and browned in spots. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.