Deep-Dish Style Baked Italian Sausage and Peppers
A hearty baked casserole inspired by Chicago's famous deep-dish pizza flavors, combining Italian sausage with roasted bell peppers, onions, and a rich tomato sauce. This italian-inspired pork ready in about 45 minutes pairs (12 oz total) Italian sausage links, olive oil, (14 oz) crushed tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 4 (12 oz total) Italian sausage links
- 1 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch strips red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch strips green bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into thin rings yellow onion
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Slice 4 Italian sausage links (12 oz total) into 1/2-inch pieces. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat and brown the sausage pieces for 6-7 minutes until cooked through and slightly caramelized.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium sliced red bell pepper, 1 medium sliced green bell pepper, and 1 medium sliced yellow onion to the skillet. Sauté with the sausage for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the mixture, then top with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving this rich, comforting dish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Deep-Dish Style Baked Italian Sausage and Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Deep-Dish Style Baked Italian Sausage and Peppers?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Deep-Dish Style Baked Italian Sausage and Peppers?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Deep-Dish Style Baked Italian Sausage and Peppers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Deep-Dish Style Baked Italian Sausage and Peppers?
Italian pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
