Wood-Fired Deep Dish Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Peppers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

A hearty Chicago-style deep dish pizza loaded with spicy Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, and gooey mozzarella baked in a buttery crust. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 125 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 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 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (110°F) warm water
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup (melted) unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 12 oz (casings removed) Italian sausage
• 1 cup (sliced) roasted red bell peppers
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crushed canned tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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 granulated 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 melted unsalted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined, then knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 12 oz Italian sausage, breaking it up until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Roll out dough on a floured surface to fit a 12-inch deep dish pan with sides. Press dough evenly into the pan, covering bottom and sides.
6. Step 6: Layer 1 cup shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough, then add cooked sausage and 1 cup sliced roasted red bell peppers.
7. Step 7: Mix 1 1/2 cups crushed canned tomatoes with 1 tsp dried oregano and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, then spoon sauce over toppings.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
9. Step 9: Bake for 30-35 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing.