Pan-Baked Spicy Italian Sausage and Pepper Pizza

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

A thick-crust pan pizza topped with spicy Italian sausage, sautéed bell peppers, and melted mozzarella cheese for a hearty meal. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 115 minutes pairs bread flour, active dry yeast, warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 700 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: 90 min Cook: 25 min Serves 3 Italian cuisine 700 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 3 g active dry yeast in 200 ml warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix 350 g bread flour with 1.5 tsp salt. Add the yeast mixture and 2 tbsp olive oil, stirring to form a dough.
  3. Step 3: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
  4. Step 4: While the dough rises, slice 1 red and 1 yellow bell pepper into thin strips and sauté them with 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized. Remove from heat.
  5. Step 5: Remove sausage casing from 150 g spicy Italian sausage and crumble it. Cook in a skillet over medium heat for 6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  6. Step 6: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly oil a 10-inch cast iron pan or deep baking dish.
  7. Step 7: Press the risen dough evenly into the pan forming a 1-1.5 cm thick base.
  8. Step 8: Spread 130 g tomato sauce evenly over the dough. Scatter cooked sausage and sautéed peppers on top.
  9. Step 9: Sprinkle 180 g shredded mozzarella cheese evenly and dust with 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes.
  10. Step 10: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.
  11. Step 11: Remove from oven, let rest 5 minutes, slice, and serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Baked Spicy Italian Sausage and Pepper Pizza take to make?

Total time is about 115 minutes (90 min prep + 25 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 Pan-Baked 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 bread flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Baked 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 Pan-Baked 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 Pan-Baked 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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