Rustic Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza on Hand-Tossed Crust

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

A hearty pizza featuring savory Italian sausage, sweet roasted red peppers, and melted cheese on a hand-tossed crust with a hint of oregano. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs all-purpose 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 420 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. 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: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, mix 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F), 1 tsp sugar, and 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until elastic.
  3. Step 3: Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour until doubled.
  4. Step 4: While dough rises, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 475°F. Dust a pizza peel or baking sheet with 2 tbsp cornmeal.
  6. Step 6: Punch down dough and stretch into a 12-inch circle on the cornmeal-dusted surface.
  7. Step 7: Spread 1/2 cup pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
  8. Step 8: Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over sauce, then scatter cooked sausage and 1/2 cup sliced roasted red peppers on top.
  9. Step 9: Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan and 1 tsp dried oregano over the pizza.
  10. Step 10: Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
  11. Step 11: Remove pizza, let cool 5 minutes, slice, and serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Rustic Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza on Hand-Tossed Crust take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 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 Rustic Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza on Hand-Tossed Crust?

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 all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza on Hand-Tossed Crust?

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 Rustic Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza on Hand-Tossed Crust 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 Rustic Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza on Hand-Tossed Crust?

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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