Loaded Meat Lover’s Deep Dish Pizza with Sausage and Bacon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

A hearty deep dish pizza packed with Italian sausage, crispy bacon, pepperoni, and a rich tomato sauce topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 115 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, warm water, active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup, 110°F warm water
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 8 oz Italian sausage, casings removed
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 15 slices sliced pepperoni
• 1 1/4 cups tomato sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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: Combine 1 cup warm water (110°F), 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, and 1 tbsp sugar in a bowl. Stir gently and let foam for 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Add yeast mixture and 3 tbsp olive oil. Stir until a dough forms.
3. Step 3: Knead dough on floured surface for 10 minutes until elastic and smooth. Place in oiled bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour until doubled.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 8 oz Italian sausage, breaking into crumbles, for 5 minutes until browned. Add 4 chopped bacon slices and cook 3 minutes until crisp. Drain fat.
5. Step 5: Punch down dough and press into a well-oiled 12-inch deep dish pan, pushing dough up sides.
6. Step 6: Spread 1 1/4 cups tomato sauce evenly over dough. Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
7. Step 7: Evenly distribute cooked sausage, bacon, and 15 slices pepperoni over cheese. Sprinkle 1/3 cup grated Parmesan, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
8. Step 8: Bake for 25-30 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and browned. Cool 5 minutes before slicing.