Spicy Sausage & Roasted Red Pepper Pesto Pizza
A flavorful pizza featuring spicy sausage, roasted red peppers, and a vibrant basil pesto base, topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Equipment
- Oven
- Pizza Stone or Baking Steel
- Pizza Peel
- Pizza Cutter
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1 ball store-bought or homemade
Pesto Sauce
- 1/2 cup basil pesto recommended
Cheese
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded (low-moisture, part-skim)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
Other Ingredients
- Olive Oil A drizzle, for brushing the crust
- 4 oz Italian Sausage cooked and crumbled (spicy or mild)
- 1/4 cup Roasted Red Peppers jarred, drained, and sliced
- 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes optional, for extra heat
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 450-500°F (230-260°C) with a pizza stone, baking steel, or heavy baking sheet.
- Lightly dust your work surface with flour or cornmeal, then stretch or roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness and shape. Transfer the dough to parchment paper or a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal.
Assemble the Pizza
- Evenly spread the pesto sauce over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the pesto.
- Distribute the cooked Italian sausage and sliced roasted red peppers over the cheese, adding red pepper flakes if desired.
Bake & Serve
- Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone, baking steel, or baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown, the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned, and the toppings are cooked through.
- Once out of the oven, use a pizza cutter to slice and serve immediately.
Notes
For a crispier crust, ensure your oven is fully preheated and use a pizza stone or baking steel. Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spiciness.