Introduction

Hey there, kitchen friends! Remember those childhood pizza nights? The smell of baking dough, the gooey cheese, and that comforting, familiar taste? Well, get ready to bring that magic back into your kitchen with this incredibly easy Sausage Pizza recipe. Seriously, this is the kind of recipe you’ll want to make again and again – it’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal, a casual get-together, or even just when that pizza craving hits hard. Let’s get this party started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: From prep to plate in under an hour, making it ideal for busy evenings.
Easy: Minimal steps and straightforward ingredients mean even beginner cooks can master it.
Giftable: While you’ll probably eat it all yourself, imagine gifting a homemade pizza kit with the dough and toppings!
Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn’t love pizza? This classic combination is a guaranteed hit with family and friends of all ages.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first delicious step! Here’s what you’ll need for this scrumptious sausage pizza:

Pizza Dough: You can use your favorite store-bought dough (fresh or frozen and thawed) or even make your own if you’re feeling ambitious!
Pizza Sauce: About 1 cup of your favorite jarred pizza sauce. Keep it simple or spice it up with a dash of oregano!
Mozzarella Cheese: We’re talking 3 cups (around 12 oz) of shredded mozzarella. The more, the merrier, right?
Sausage: 8 oz of cooked sausage. Italian sausage (mild or hot) is my personal favorite, but feel free to use whatever kind you like! You can crumble it raw and cook it first, or use pre-cooked crumbled sausage.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get our hands doughy and create some pizza perfection. It’s as easy as 1-2-3 (well, maybe 1-2-3-4-5-6)!

Preheat Your Oven: First things first, get that oven heating up. You’ll want to follow the instructions on your pizza dough package for the best temperature. Usually, it’s around 400-450°F (200-230°C).
Prep Your Dough: Get your pizza dough ready. If it’s store-bought, you might need to let it come to room temperature. Then, on a lightly floured surface or a piece of parchment paper, stretch or roll it out to your desired pizza shape and thickness. I usually go for a rustic, slightly irregular shape – it adds to the homemade charm!
Sauce it Up: Grab your pizza sauce and spread it evenly over the prepared dough, leaving a little border for the crust. Don’t go too heavy on the sauce, or your pizza might get a little soggy.
Cheese, Please!: Now for the best part – the cheese! Sprinkle all that glorious mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Make sure to get it all the way to the edges, because who doesn’t love cheesy crust?
Sausage Time!: Evenly distribute your cooked sausage crumbles over the cheese. This is where the savory magic happens.
Bake to Perfection: Carefully transfer your pizza to the preheated oven. Bake it according to your pizza dough package’s recommended time, or until the crust is a beautiful golden brown and the cheese is all melty and bubbly. I like to peek in around the 10-minute mark to check on its progress.

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is fantastic as is, but pizza is also a canvas for your culinary creativity! Here are a few ideas:

Cheese Please: Feel free to mix in other cheeses like provolone, cheddar, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavor.
Veggie Power: Want to add some veggies? Sautéed onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, or even some spinach would be delicious additions! Make sure to sauté them first so they don’t release too much moisture on the pizza.
Spice It Up: If you like a little heat, add some red pepper flakes to the sauce or sprinkle them on top before baking.
Herbs: A sprinkle of dried oregano or basil on top before baking can add another layer of aromatic flavor.

Tips for Success

Let’s make sure your pizza turns out absolutely perfect every time!

Don’t Overload: While it’s tempting to pile on all the toppings, too many can make your pizza soggy and difficult to cook evenly.
Cook Sausage First: Always cook your sausage all the way through before adding it to the pizza. This ensures it’s safe to eat and also renders out some of the fat, preventing a greasy pizza.
Hot Oven is Key: A hot oven helps create a crispy crust. Make sure your oven is fully preheated!
Prep Ahead: You can cook the sausage and even prepare the pizza (minus baking) a few hours ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

How to Store It

Leftover pizza? Lucky you! Let the pizza cool completely before storing. You can wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place them in an airtight container. It’s best enjoyed within 3-4 days. Reheat slices in a toaster oven or a skillet for the crispiest results!

FAQs

Can I use pre-made crusts?: Absolutely! Pre-made pizza crusts, bagels, or even pita bread make for super quick and easy pizza bases.
What if I don’t have pizza sauce?: No worries! You can use marinara sauce, a simple tomato paste mixed with a little olive oil and Italian seasoning, or even a BBQ sauce for a different flavor profile.
How do I get a crispy crust?: Ensure your oven is hot and preheated. Baking the pizza directly on a preheated pizza stone or baking steel can also help achieve a wonderfully crispy crust.
Can I freeze this pizza?: You can assemble the pizza and freeze it before baking. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. When ready to bake, remove the wrapping and bake from frozen, adding extra baking time as needed.

There you have it, a simple, delicious, and oh-so-satisfying Sausage Pizza that’s ready to become a staple in your home. Happy baking, and enjoy every cheesy, saucy, sausagey bite!

Easy Sausage Pizza

A simple and delicious sausage pizza recipe that's perfect for a quick weeknight meal, casual get-together, or when that pizza craving hits.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

Oven Preheated according to pizza dough package instructions (typically 400-450°F).
Parchment paper Optional, for easier handling of dough.
Pizza stone or baking steel Recommended for a crispy crust.

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 package Pizza dough Store-bought or homemade, fresh or frozen and thawed.
1 cup Pizza sauce Jarred, or to taste.
3 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese About 12 oz.
8 oz Cooked sausage Italian sausage (mild or hot) is recommended, crumbled.

Instructions

Preheat your oven according to your pizza dough package instructions, typically around 400-450°F (200-230°C).
On a lightly floured surface or parchment paper, stretch or roll out the pizza dough to your desired shape and thickness.
1 package Pizza dough
Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
1 package Pizza dough
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, going close to the edges.
1 package Pizza dough
Distribute the cooked sausage crumbles over the cheese.
1 package Pizza dough
Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated oven. Bake for the time recommended on your pizza dough package, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly (usually around 10-15 minutes).

Notes

For a crispier crust, bake the pizza directly on a preheated pizza stone or baking steel. You can also add other toppings like sautéed onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms. A sprinkle of dried oregano or basil before baking adds extra flavor.