Deep-Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Red Peppers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-10 · Updated 2026-05-10

A hearty Chicago-style deep-dish pizza featuring spicy Italian sausage and sweet roasted red peppers baked in a buttery crust with melted mozzarella. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 115 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, 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 720 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 (110°F) warm water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz, casing removed Italian sausage
• 1 cup, sliced roasted red peppers
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 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, and 1 tsp salt. Stir in 1 cup warm water (110°F) and 1/4 cup olive oil, mixing until a sticky dough forms.
2. Step 2: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 7-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
3. Step 3: While the dough rises, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan and sprinkle 1/4 cup cornmeal evenly over the bottom.
6. Step 6: Press the risen dough into the pan, pushing it up the sides to form a rim.
7. Step 7: Layer the pizza starting with 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese on the dough, then scatter the cooked sausage and 1 cup sliced roasted red peppers evenly over the cheese.
8. Step 8: Pour the thickened tomato sauce over the toppings, spreading gently.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
10. Step 10: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese bubbles. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing.