Deep-Dish Style Chicago-Influenced Sausage and Pepper Pizza

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

A hearty pizza featuring spicy Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, and a thick, buttery crust inspired by Chicago's famous deep-dish tradition. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 120 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 520 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 olive oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 oz, casing removed Italian sausage
• 1 medium, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
• 1 medium, sliced into thin strips green bell pepper
• 1 medium, thinly sliced onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 1 cup warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it apart, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage and set aside.
5. Step 5: In the same skillet, add 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 sliced green bell pepper, and 1 thinly sliced onion with 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
6. Step 6: Stir in 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Step 7: Preheat oven to 425°F. Press the dough evenly into a 12-inch deep-dish pizza pan, creating a 1-inch high edge.
8. Step 8: Spread half of the shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup) over the dough, then evenly distribute the cooked sausage and sautéed pepper mixture on top.
9. Step 9: Pour the tomato sauce over the toppings, then sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
10. Step 10: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.