Sicilian-Style Thick Crust Pizza with Italian Sausage and Peppers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

A hearty Sicilian pizza with a thick, airy crust topped with spicy Italian sausage, roasted bell peppers, and melted provolone cheese. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 135 minutes pairs bread flour, instant yeast, (105°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.

Ingredients

• 4 cups bread flour
• 2 tsp instant yeast
• 1 3/4 cups (105°F) warm water
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 8 oz, casing removed Italian sausage
• 1 large, sliced into strips red bell pepper
• 1 large, sliced into strips green bell pepper
• 6 oz, shredded provolone cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 4 cups bread flour, 2 tsp instant yeast, and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Add 1 3/4 cups warm water (105°F) and 3 tbsp olive oil. Mix until combined, then knead on a floured surface for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
2. Step 2: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 1/2 hours or until doubled.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook 8 oz Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 sliced green bell pepper, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 475°F and lightly oil a 12x16-inch baking pan.
6. Step 6: Press the risen dough into the prepared pan to form a thick crust. Spread 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes evenly over the dough, then layer the cooked sausage and sautéed peppers and garlic evenly on top.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle 6 oz shredded provolone cheese and 1 tsp dried oregano with 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes over the toppings.
8. Step 8: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Step 9: Remove from oven, sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.