Deep-Dish Style Chicago Pizza with Sausage and Bell Peppers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

A hearty Chicago-style deep-dish pizza loaded with spicy sausage and sweet bell peppers baked in a thick buttery crust. This American-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 115 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, 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 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
• 12 oz Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

The pizza stone or steel we’d bake this on → Best Pizza Stones and Steels for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, 1 tsp salt, and 1 cup warm water (110°F). Stir and knead until a smooth dough forms, about 8 minutes, then cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: While dough rises, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) and cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 diced green bell pepper, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 1 thinly sliced yellow onion. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and edges start to caramelize. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer the sauce over low heat for 15 minutes until thickened and flavorful.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease a 9-inch deep-dish pan with 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter. Press the risen dough into the pan, building the sides up about 1 inch.
6. Step 6: Layer 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on the dough base. Scatter cooked sausage over the cheese, then pour the tomato and vegetable sauce evenly on top.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Brush the exposed dough edges with 2 tbsp melted butter.
8. Step 8: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing and serving.