Homemade Sausage Pizza Recipe

Homemade Sausage Pizza Recipe

Introduction

Craving pizza night at home? This Homemade Sausage Pizza delivers the best of both worlds: a crispy homemade crust, savory sausage, and the satisfaction of crafting a delicious pie from scratch. Whether you’re making it for game night or a casual dinner, this recipe is sure to be a hit!

Ingredients

For the pizza dough:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (240ml) warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the toppings:

• ½ cup (120ml) pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 200g Italian sausage (mild or spicy), crumbled and cooked
• 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
• 1 small bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the pizza dough:

1. In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
3. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1–2 hours or until doubled in size.

2. Cook the sausage:

• In a skillet over medium heat, cook the crumbled sausage until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease and set aside.

3. Preheat the oven:

• Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat as well.

4. Roll out the dough:

• Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a 12–14 inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Transfer it to a pizza peel or a parchment-lined baking sheet.

5. Assemble the pizza:

1. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
2. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
3. Distribute the cooked sausage, red onion, and bell pepper evenly over the pizza.
4. Add the remaining mozzarella and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
5. Sprinkle dried oregano over the toppings for extra flavor.

6. Bake the pizza:

• Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven (or pizza stone) and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

7. Garnish and serve:

• Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Slice and serve warm!

Tips for Success

• Make it spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the sausage or sauce for a kick of heat.
• Crispy crust tip: Preheat your baking sheet or pizza stone for an extra crispy base.
• Vegetarian option: Swap the sausage for sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or plant-based sausage crumbles.

Conclusion

This Homemade Sausage Pizza is a flavor-packed delight with its savory sausage, bubbling cheese, and homemade crust. It’s simple to make and endlessly customizable for your preferences. Share it with family or friends, or enjoy it all to yourself. One bite, and you’ll never want takeout again!

Would you like me to include a recipe for homemade pizza sauce or a gluten-free crust option? 😊