Deep-Dish Style Sausage and Bell Pepper Pizza

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

A hearty pizza inspired by Chicago’s famous deep-dish style, featuring spicy sausage and roasted bell peppers layered in a thick, buttery crust. This American-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 65 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 580 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
• 1/2 cup (1 stick), melted unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp 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 green bell pepper
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 1 cup warm water (110°F). Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir until the dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Add 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
6. Step 6: Stir in 2 cups crushed tomatoes and 1 tsp dried oregano. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Step 7: Preheat oven to 425°F. Punch down dough and press it into a well-oiled 12-inch deep-dish pan, making the edges about 1 inch thick.
8. Step 8: Layer half of the 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over the dough. Spread the cooked sausage and tomato mixture evenly on top.
9. Step 9: Arrange 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced green bell pepper strips over the sausage.
10. Step 10: Finish with the remaining mozzarella cheese, pressing lightly. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
11. Step 11: Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.