Fennel-Infused Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza
Savory fennel sausage and sweet roasted peppers create a harmonious balance on a tangy tomato base, baked to perfection. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 34 minutes pairs (store-bought) pizza dough, ounces, sliced fennel sausage, jarred roasted red peppers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 365 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (store-bought) pizza dough
- 6 ounces, sliced fennel sausage
- 1/2 cup, jarred roasted red peppers
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C) with a pizza stone inside for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Sauté 6 ounces sliced fennel sausage in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until browned, then add 1/2 cup jarred roasted red peppers and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; cook for 2 more minutes until flavors meld.
- Step 3: Roll 1 1/2 cups pizza dough into a 12-inch circle, transfer to cornmeal-dusted peel, and spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the surface.
- Step 4: Top with 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella, then distribute the sausage and pepper mixture over the cheese.
- Step 5: Bake on preheated stone for 12-14 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is melted.
- Step 6: Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil just before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fennel-Infused Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza take to make?
Total time is about 34 minutes (20 min prep + 14 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Fennel-Infused Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (store-bought) pizza dough from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Fennel-Infused Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Fennel-Infused Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Fennel-Infused Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza?
Italian pizza like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple, elegant, and packed with flavor. The red peppers added such a lovely sweetness that cut through the sausage richness.
- ★★★★★
Game-changer pizza! The fennel-infused sausage paired perfectly with the smoky roasted peppers. Made it for date night and it was a hit.
- ★★★★★
The fennel in the sausage was a revelation—perfectly balanced with the sweet roasted peppers. My kids asked for seconds!