Pizza, the beloved dish with its humble beginnings in Italy, has taken on numerous forms across the globe, and one mouth-watering variation is the sausage pizza.
This recipe is designed for those who crave the savory taste of seasoned sausage paired with gooey, melted cheese atop a golden crust. Infusing traditional pizza with the hearty essence of sausage creates a meal that is both comforting and satisfying.
Whether you’re a home cook or an aspiring chef, this sausage pizza recipe is straightforward, customizable, and sure to be a hit at any table. Prepare your taste buds for a delightful journey through layers of robust flavor and texture.
About Sausage Pizza
Before diving into the recipe, it’s worth exploring a little bit about this sausage pizza. Sausage pizza is a type of pizza that is topped with pieces of seasoned and cooked sausage.
The sausage can be made from different types of meat, such as pork, beef, or even chicken. It is typically cut into small pieces and scattered on top of the pizza before it goes into the oven.
This topping adds a hearty and savory flavor to the pizza, making it a popular choice for meat lovers.
Ingredients Used In Sausage Pizza Recipe
Now you have had an introduction to sausage pizza, let’s dive into the ingredients used to make this delicious dish.
1. Pizza crust
2. Italian sausage
3. Pizza sauce
4. Mozzarella cheese
5. Red onion
6. Green pepper
7. Fresh mushroom
8. Brown sugar
The pizza crust, as always, is the base of this dish. You can either make your pizza crust from scratch or buy a pre-made one from the store.
Italian sausage is the star of this dish, renowned for its savory and sometimes spicy flavor profile. It is typically made of pork and seasoned with a blend of fennel, garlic, and red pepper flakes, giving the pizza its distinctive zest and richness.
Pizza sauce acts as the perfect canvas, balancing the strong flavors of the toppings with its tomato-based, herb-infused simplicity. It’s usually a blend of crushed tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and basil, simmered to perfection to deepen the flavors.
Mozzarella cheese is beloved for its creamy, melt-in-your-mouth quality that creates the quintessential pizza experience. Its mild taste and excellent melting properties allow it to envelop the other ingredients.
Red onion adds a slight pungent sharpness and crunch to the pizza, creating a flavor contrast that elevates the taste of the sausage. It also contributes a pop of color to the otherwise monochromatic meal.
Green pepper, with its bright, slightly bitter flavor, offers a crunchy respite from the richness of the meat and cheese. It adds a touch of freshness to each bite and provides a beautiful visual element with its vibrant hue.
Fresh mushrooms bring an earthy flavor to the combination, their spongy texture absorbing the flavors around them. They also add a layer of umami, which enhances the depth of taste throughout the pizza.
Brown sugar, though not a common pizza topping, can be used sparingly to caramelize the onions and peppers, lending a subtle sweetness that complements the savory sausage and offsets the tang of the tomato sauce.
How To Make Sausage Pizza?
Are you done salivating over the ingredients? It’s time to get cooking! Follow these simple steps to make your sausage pizza at home:
Step 1: Preheat The Oven
To ensure your pizza cooks evenly, the first step is to preheat the oven. Set the temperature to a high heat of 400°F.
REASON: This temperature is ideal for achieving a perfectly crisp crust while ensuring the toppings are cooked just right. A hot oven also simulates the environment of a pizza oven and helps to lock in the flavors of the cheese and sausage as they meld together.
Bake the pizza dough until lightly browned, about 10-12 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare The Sausage
Take your Italian sausage and remove it from its casing if it’s not already loose. In a pan over medium heat, crumble the sausage and cook it until it’s browned and cooked through.
This usually takes about 6 to 8 minutes. Be sure to break up any large pieces as they cook for a more even distribution of sausage on your pizza.
After the sausage has browned, use a slotted spoon to move it onto a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any extra fat. Allow the sausage to cool a bit before topping the pizza with it.
It’s important to cook the sausage beforehand as it may not cook thoroughly in the time it takes for the pizza to bake.
Step 3: Prepare The Vegetables and Cheese
While the sausage cools, slice your red onion, green pepper, and fresh mushrooms into thin, even pieces. This not only ensures they will cook at the same rate but also makes for a more pleasant eating experience.
If using, lightly sprinkle the vegetables with a pinch of brown sugar to enhance their natural sweetness and promote caramelization in the oven. Grate mozzarella cheese if you haven’t purchased pre-shredded cheese.
Freshly grated cheese often melts better and lacks the anti-caking agents found in pre-shredded varieties, resulting in a smoother, creamier texture.
Step 4: Assemble The Pizza
On a flat surface, lay out your pizza crust. If you’ve made your dough, roll it out into a 12 to 14-inch circle on a piece of parchment paper, dusted with flour to prevent sticking.
This will make it easier to transfer to the oven. If you have a pizza peel and a preheated pizza stone, assemble the pizza on the peel.
Evenly spread the pizza sauce over the crust, leaving about a 1-inch border for the crust. Distribute the cooked sausage across the sauce, followed by the sliced vegetables.
Next, evenly distribute the shredded mozzarella cheese across the pizza.
Step 5: Baking The Pizza
Gently place the prepared pizza into the heated oven. For those using a pizza stone, carefully push the pizza onto it, or set a pizza pan on the middle shelf.
Baking at 400°F for around 12-15 minutes, or until you notice that the crust has turned a golden brown and the cheese has melted and is beginning to brown slightly. It’s important to monitor the pizza closely towards the end of the cooking time to avoid burning.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Once the pizza is cooked to your liking, remove it from the oven using a pizza peel or a large spatula. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to settle; this makes it easier to cut and helps distribute the heat throughout the toppings.
Cut the pizza into equal slices, serve while hot, and enjoy the fruits of your labor – a homemade, hearty sausage pizza bursting with flavor.
By following these easy steps, you can create a delicious sausage pizza at home that rivals any takeout or delivery option.
What Pairs Well With a Sausage Pizza Recipe
If sausage pizza alone isn’t enough to satisfy your taste buds, consider my suggestions below:
1. Start with a fresh salad: A crisp, green salad is the perfect accompaniment to a hearty pizza. The freshness of the greens complements the rich flavors of the sausage and cheese.
2. Sip on some red wine: Red wine pairs exceptionally well with sausage pizza due to its bold, fruity flavors that stand up to the strong flavors of the sausage. Opt for a Chianti or Sangiovese for an Italian-inspired pairing.
3. Indulge in a sweet treat: Satisfy your sweet tooth with a dessert that complements the savory nature of sausage pizza. A simple fruit tart, creamy gelato, or rich chocolate cake can serve as a delicious ending to your meal.
4. Add a side of garlic bread: For an extra dose of indulgence, serve up some garlic bread alongside your sausage pizza. The warm, buttery slices are perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce and make for a satisfyingly carb-heavy meal.
With these suggestions in mind, you can create a complete and well-balanced meal that is sure to impress your family and friends.
Conclusion
In short, now you know all about the sausage pizza recipe. So why wait? Get cooking and create your delicious sausage pizza at home.
With a little bit of preparation and some quality ingredients, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality pizza in the comfort of your kitchen.
Homemade Sausage Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 pound of Italian sausage
- 1 premade pizza crust or homemade dough
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup sliced green pepper
- 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
- Optional: pinch of brown sugar for vegetables
- Flour for dusting (if using homemade dough)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Prepare your vegetables and cheese.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured parchment paper.
- Spread the sauce on the dough, add sausage and vegetables, and top with cheese.
- Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- Allow to rest for a few minutes, then serve hot!