Description
Enjoy a delightful Sweet Spicy Sausage Pizza featuring crumbled Italian sausage, sautéed vegetables, and melted mozzarella cheese. This homemade pizza combines sweet and spicy flavors, making it a perfect choice for gatherings and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 pre-made pizza crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and let it warm for about a minute.
- Remove the casing from the sweet Italian sausage and crumble it into the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Break it into smaller pieces as it cooks.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a plate, leaving the drippings in the skillet.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, and basil. Stir and cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and mix with the vegetables. Stir in the pizza sauce and honey (or brown sugar) to balance the flavors. Let simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Preheat your oven according to the instructions for your pizza crust, typically around 425°F (220°C).
- Roll out the store-bought crust on a floured surface to your desired thickness, or prepare your homemade dough.
- Transfer the rolled-out crust to a pizza stone or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Spread the sausage and vegetable mixture evenly over the pizza crust, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Add more cheese if desired!
- If using, scatter black olives over the cheese.
- Carefully place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven. Bake according to crust instructions, usually around 12-15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Keep an eye on the pizza during the last few minutes to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
- Once baked, carefully remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a couple of minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves for added aroma and color.
- Slice into wedges and serve hot!
Notes
- Customize toppings to your liking! Consider adding mushrooms, jalapeños, or even pineapple for a sweet twist.
- For a spicier kick, adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes