Hand-Tossed Neapolitan Pizza with Buffalo Mozzarella and Spicy Italian Sausage

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A soft and chewy Neapolitan-style pizza featuring hand-tossed dough topped with creamy buffalo mozzarella and savory spicy Italian sausage for a perfect balance of flavors. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 30 minutes pairs pizza dough, buffalo mozzarella, spicy Italian sausage for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 2, 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C) with a pizza stone inside for at least 30 minutes to ensure a hot baking surface.
  2. Step 2: On a floured surface, hand-toss 300 g pizza dough into a 12-inch diameter circle, maintaining an even thickness of about 5 mm, and place it on a floured pizza peel.
  3. Step 3: Spread 100 g tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust. Season the sauce lightly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Tear 150 g buffalo mozzarella into medium chunks and distribute evenly on top of the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Remove the casing from 100 g spicy Italian sausage and crumble it into small pieces, then scatter over the cheese.
  6. Step 6: Drizzle 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over the pizza and bake on the preheated stone for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese bubbles with slight browning.
  7. Step 7: Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately scatter 6 fresh basil leaves on top for aroma and freshness. Let rest for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Hand-Tossed Neapolitan Pizza with Buffalo Mozzarella and Spicy Italian Sausage take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 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 Hand-Tossed Neapolitan Pizza with Buffalo Mozzarella and Spicy Italian Sausage?

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 pizza dough from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Hand-Tossed Neapolitan Pizza with Buffalo Mozzarella and Spicy Italian Sausage?

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 Hand-Tossed Neapolitan Pizza with Buffalo Mozzarella and Spicy Italian Sausage for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Hand-Tossed Neapolitan Pizza with Buffalo Mozzarella and Spicy Italian Sausage?

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.

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