Hand-Tossed Spicy Italian Sausage and Pepper Pizza

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

A robustly flavored pizza featuring hand-tossed dough topped with spicy Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, and melty mozzarella cheese. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 35 minutes pairs pizza dough, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 3, 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: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Italian cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 480°F (250°C) with a pizza stone inside for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Hand-toss 350 g pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle, leaving a slightly thicker crust edge.
  3. Step 3: Spread 110 ml tomato sauce evenly over the dough.
  4. Step 4: Evenly distribute 140 g mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Arrange 100 g sliced spicy Italian sausage and 120 g sliced red and green bell peppers on top.
  6. Step 6: Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper over the toppings.
  7. Step 7: Transfer the pizza onto the hot stone and bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
  8. Step 8: Remove and let rest for 3 minutes before slicing.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Hand-Tossed Spicy Italian Sausage and Pepper Pizza take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (25 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 Spicy Italian Sausage and 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 pizza dough from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Hand-Tossed Spicy Italian Sausage and 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 Hand-Tossed Spicy Italian Sausage and Pepper Pizza for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Spicy Italian Sausage and 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.

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