Introduction
Hey there, pizza lovers! Do you ever have those nights where you crave something utterly delicious, a little unexpected, and super satisfying, but you don’t want to spend hours fussing in the kitchen? Yep, me too! That’s exactly how this Sweet & Spicy Hot Sausage, Feta & Honey Pizza came into my life. It’s the kind of pizza that makes your taste buds sing – a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, salty from the feta, and savory from the sausage. It sounds fancy, but trust me, it’s ridiculously easy and comes together in a flash. It’s been a game-changer for our busy weeknights, and I just had to share it with you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Seriously, what’s not to love about a pizza that delivers big on flavor without the fuss? Here are just a few reasons this pizza is about to become a regular in your rotation:
- Fast: From start to finish, you’re looking at maybe 30 minutes. Perfect for those nights when hunger strikes and strikes hard!
- Easy: If you can assemble, you can make this pizza. It’s truly beginner-friendly.
- Crowd-pleasing: This unique combination is a total hit with friends and family. Be prepared for rave reviews!
- Addictively Delicious: The balance of sweet honey, spicy sausage, tangy feta, and creamy mozzarella is just chef’s kiss.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to pizza paradise! You likely have a few of these on hand already.
- 8 oz Hot sausage: This is where your heat comes from! Crumbled Italian hot sausage works perfectly.
- 1 unit Fresh arugula or spinach: A little peppery green added at the end brightens everything up. Use whichever you prefer!
- 1/4 cup Honey: The sweet counterpoint to the spice. Don’t skip this!
- 1/4 cup Tomato sauce or pizza sauce: Just a light base for classic pizza flavor.
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning: Classic herbs to tie it all together.
- 1 unit Store-bought or homemade pizza dough: Use your favorite! A good quality store-bought dough makes this extra speedy.
- 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes: For an extra kick! Adjust to your spice preference.
- 1 tbsp Olive oil: For cooking the sausage and brushing the crust.
- 1/2 cup Feta cheese: The salty, tangy crumbles are essential for that unique flavor profile.
- 1 1/2 cups Mozzarella cheese: The classic melty cheese that holds everything together.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get this pizza party started! It’s really as simple as cook, assemble, and bake.
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients. Preheat your oven according to your pizza dough’s package directions (usually around 400-450°F or 200-230°C). If using fresh spinach or arugula, give it a quick wash and dry. Crumble your hot sausage.
Step 2: Cook the Sausage. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the crumbled hot sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s fully browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease and set the sausage aside.
Step 3: Prep the Dough. Lightly flour a clean surface or your pizza peel. Stretch or roll out your pizza dough to your desired shape and thickness. Carefully transfer it to your pizza stone or baking sheet.
Step 4: Build Your Pizza. Spread the tomato or pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a border for the crust. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning over the sauce. Layer on the mozzarella cheese, then dot with the cooked hot sausage and crumbled feta cheese. Sprinkle the red pepper flakes over the top.
Step 5: Bake! Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted. Baking time will vary depending on your oven and dough thickness, so keep an eye on it!
Step 6: Finishing Touches. Once the pizza is out of the oven, scatter the fresh arugula or spinach leaves over the hot pizza (the heat will wilt them slightly). Drizzle the honey generously over the entire pizza. Slice, serve immediately, and enjoy the amazing sweet and spicy goodness!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is super forgiving and easy to adapt! Feel free to play around based on what you have or what you love.
- Cheese: No feta? Try goat cheese for a similar tang, or sprinkle on some parmesan for extra saltiness.
- Sausage: If hot sausage is too spicy, use mild Italian sausage and increase the red pepper flakes to your liking, or even add some chopped pepperoni!
- Greens: Not a fan of arugula or spinach? Skip them, or add some fresh basil leaves after baking.
- Veggie Boost: Sautéed onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms would be delicious additions alongside the sausage.
- Extra Sweetness: For a sweeter kick, you could add some caramelized onions along with the sausage.
Tips for Success
Making great pizza at home is totally achievable! Here are a few pointers to help you out:
- Don’t Over-Sauce: Too much sauce can make your crust soggy. A thin, even layer is all you need.
- Hot Oven is Key: Pizza loves high heat. Make sure your oven is fully preheated before putting the pizza in.
- Use a Pizza Stone or Steel: If you have one, preheating a pizza stone or steel gives you a crispier crust from the bottom up. Place the dough directly onto the hot surface.
- Prep Ahead: You can cook the sausage ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a day or two. This makes assembly even faster on pizza night!
- Handle Dough Carefully: If using store-bought dough, let it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before stretching – it will be much easier to work with.
How to Store It
Leftover pizza? While I doubt you’ll have much, it stores beautifully!
Let the pizza cool completely, then store slices in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For best reheating results, warm slices in a skillet over medium heat until the bottom is crisp and the cheese is melted, or reheat briefly in a hot oven or toaster oven.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Q: Is this pizza very spicy?
A: The spice level comes from the hot sausage and red pepper flakes. Hot sausage typically has moderate heat. You can control the spice by using mild sausage and adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes (or omitting them completely!). The honey helps balance out the heat too.
Q: Can I use a different type of dough?
A: Absolutely! Gluten-free dough, whole wheat dough, or even pre-made pizza crusts or flatbreads will work. Adjust baking time as needed based on the dough you use.
Q: Can I make this on the grill?
A: Yes! Grilled pizza is fantastic. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush one side of the dough with olive oil and place oil-side down on the grill. Cook for a few minutes until grill marks appear and the dough is firm. Flip the dough, quickly add toppings to the cooked side, close the grill lid, and cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the crust is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Drizzle with honey after removing from the grill.
Q: Can I swap the honey for something else?
A: Honey really provides a unique flavor pairing here, but if you absolutely must, a drizzle of maple syrup might work, but it will change the overall taste profile significantly. I highly recommend sticking with the honey!
Sweet & Spicy Hot Sausage, Feta & Honey Pizza
Equipment
- Skillet
- Pizza stone or baking sheet
- Pizza Peel (optional) for transferring dough
Ingredients
Pizza Ingredients
- 8 oz Hot sausage crumbled Italian hot sausage
- 1 unit Fresh arugula or spinach
- 0.25 cup Honey
- 0.25 cup Tomato sauce or pizza sauce
- 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 unit Store-bought or homemade pizza dough
- 0.5 tsp Red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 0.5 cup Feta cheese crumbled
- 1.5 cup Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients. Preheat your oven according to your pizza dough's package directions (usually around 400-450°F or 200-230°C). If using fresh spinach or arugula, give it a quick wash and dry. Crumble your hot sausage.
- Cook the Sausage. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the crumbled hot sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it's fully browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease and set the sausage aside.
- Prep the Dough. Lightly flour a clean surface or your pizza peel. Stretch or roll out your pizza dough to your desired shape and thickness. Carefully transfer it to your pizza stone or baking sheet.
- Build Your Pizza. Spread the tomato or pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a border for the crust. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning over the sauce. Layer on the mozzarella cheese, then dot with the cooked hot sausage and crumbled feta cheese. Sprinkle the red pepper flakes over the top.
- Bake! Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted. Baking time will vary depending on your oven and dough thickness, so keep an eye on it!
- Finishing Touches. Once the pizza is out of the oven, scatter the fresh arugula or spinach leaves over the hot pizza (the heat will wilt them slightly). Drizzle the honey generously over the entire pizza. Slice, serve immediately, and enjoy the amazing sweet and spicy goodness!
Notes
- Cheese: Try goat cheese or parmesan instead of feta.
- Sausage: Use mild Italian sausage or add pepperoni if hot sausage is too spicy.
- Greens: Can swap arugula/spinach for fresh basil leaves after baking.
- Veggie Boost: Sautéed onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms can be added.
- Extra Sweetness: Add caramelized onions. Tips for Success:
- Don't Over-Sauce: Use a thin, even layer to prevent a soggy crust.
- Hot Oven is Key: Ensure the oven is fully preheated.
- Use a Pizza Stone or Steel: Preheating one improves crust crispiness.
- Prep Ahead: Cook sausage in advance and store in the fridge.
- Handle Dough Carefully: Let store-bought dough warm up at room temperature before stretching. Storage:
- Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped in foil/plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, a hot oven, or a toaster oven for best results. FAQs:
- Spice Level: Controlled by hot sausage and red pepper flakes; honey helps balance.
- Dough: Other dough types (gluten-free, whole wheat, flatbreads) work; adjust bake time.
- Grilling: Can be made on a grill; follow specific instructions provided in the article.
- Honey Substitute: Recommended to stick with honey for the unique flavor; maple syrup is a potential but different option.